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J. A. Colaw, P. G. M., P. G. R. 



The Beacon Light 



Illuminated Odd Fellowship 



For the pleasure of all men who read, for the delight 

of the real student, and for the perpetual 

joy of the true Odd Fellow 



J A. COL AW, P. G. M. and P. G. R. 

OF THE 

Grand Jurisdiction of Kansas 



. J 907 
Published by J. A. Colav 
Cherryvale, Kansas 



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fOaaARYofOOfWaESS 
Two Ooote9 Received 
FEB 26 190/ 
r Copyright Entry 

POrA 14 1 

OLA80 h /\ XXc/No, 

JU o S3 . 
OOPYB. 



COPYRIGHT, J907 
By J. A. COLA W 



To 

who are my delight and inspiration, 

the remedy for the cares and perplexities 

of this present life. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



HISTORICAL MATTER OF FACT P:lg e 

Our Inheritance n 

Opposition to Secret Orders 16 

Comradeship Imperative to Man ,. , 23 

The Foundation of Our Order 29 

Some Ancient Orders 35 

The Greater Question 39 

The Nature of American Odd Fellowship 43 

The Earlier Movement in America .. 47 

The Oiigin of Our Present Order 55 

The Structure of the Early American Order 62 

THE SUBORDINATE LODGE 

A Foreword on Odd Fellowship 71 

How Organized . 74 

After Institution What?. . . . . 81 

The Initiation 88 

The Emblems of the Initiatory Degree 96 

The Degree of Friendship 102 

The Emblems of the First Degree... in 

The Degree of Love 116 

Emblems of the Degree of Love 124 

The Degree of Truth 130 

Emblems of the Degree of Truth 141 

THE EVOLUTION OF THE GRAND BODIES 

The Evolution of the Grand Lodge 149 

The Evolution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 156 

THE EVOLUTION OF THE ENCAMPMENT 

The Subordinate Encampment 167 

The Grand Encampment 176 

The Patriarchs Militant 181 



THE EVOLUTION OF THE REBEKAH BRANCH 

The Ancient View of Woman 1 93 

The Rise of the Rebekah Degree 198 

The Development of the Rebekah Lodge 205 

The Rebekah Assembly 213 

THREE GREAT MEN IN ODD FELLOWSHIP 

Thomas Wildey, the Founder 223 

James L. Ridgely 234 

Schu}'ler Colfax 245 

LECTURE ADDRESSES 

The Birthplace of American Odd Fellowship 257 

Odd Fellowship is Universal Brotherhood . 272 

LECTURE ADDRESSES BY DR. B. M. POWELL 

A Decadence in Odd Fellowship ' 287 

The Reconstruction of Odd Fellowship " 296 

The Meaning of Reconstructed Odd Fellowship 306 

The Three Pillars 317 

The Tent 325 

The Altar of Sacrifice 331 

The Scrip, Sandals and Staff 338 

The Tables of Stone, Cross and Crescent 345 

The Altar of Incense 351 

ODD FELLOWS' HOMES 

Our Homes . . 36 r 



PREFACE 

Having spent thirty-two years in Odd Fel- 
lowship, having passed through all the chairs of 
the Subordinate Lodge, the Subordinate En- 
campment and the Grand Lodge of the Grand 
Jurisdiction of Kansas, having seiwed as Grand 
Representative from the same Grand Jurisdic- 
tion to the Sovereign Grand Body, and having 
seen all the workings of Odd Fellowship in and 
outside the Lodge Room, some things have been 
vividly impressed upon my mind — things per- 
taining to the "Good of the Order." These im- 
pre^vions have grown to very urgent needs and 
of times to me they seem to be urgent demands 
upon the Order. To meet this niche in the world 
of Odd Fellowship T send forth this volume, 
asking the kindliest treatment for this child of 
my heart. What its reception will be can not 
now be conjectured, but it is humbly desired 
that it may be most cordial and abiding. 

What good a volume can do depends upon 
the reading public. One that reads, one that di- 
gests what he reads will be able to grasp the 
hope of the writer of these pages. May there be 
many in and out of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows, who will find delight in what is 
herein presented for the benefit of our beloved 
institution. J. A. COLAW. 



THE FIRST ODD FELLOWS SONG.* 



I. 

When Friendship, Love and Truth abound, 

Among a band of brothers, 
The cup of joy goes gaily round, 

Each shares the bliss of others. 
Sweet roses grace the thorny way 

Along the vale of sorrow, 
The flowers that shed their leaves to-day 

Shall bloom again to-morrow. 
How grand in age, how fair in youth, 

Are holy "Friendship, Love and Truth." 

II. 

On halcyon wings our moments pass, 

Life's cruel cares beguiling. 
Old Time lays down his scythe and glass, 

In gay good humor smiling. 
With ermine beard and forelock gray 

His revernd front adorning. 
He looks like Winter turned to May, 

Night softened into morning. 
How grand in age, how fair in youth 

Are holy " Friendship, Love and Truth." 

III. 

From these delightful fountains flow 

Ambrosial rills of pleasure. 
Can man desire, can heaven bestow, 

A more resplendent treasure. 
Adorned with gems so richly bright 

We'd form a constellation, 
Where every star with modest light 

Shall gild his proper station. 
How grand in age, how fair in youth, 

Are holy "Friendship, Love and Truth." 

— James Montgomery. 



* The society known as the Ancient and Honorable Loyal Odd 
£ ellows was engaged in a demonstration of some kind in the year 1788 
fney carried a banner unfurled to the breeze, on which was inscribed 
their motto: " 1- riendshin. Love and Truth." The Poet seeing the proces- 
sion and banner was profoundly moved and penned the above poem. Ud- 
doubtedly the Poet was in perfect sympathy with the order. 



Historical Matter of Fact 



Our Inheritance 
We are here today with our inheritances; 
the bequeathments of all past ages usward, all 
around us to make us the richest and most 
favored sons of time. It is true that the cen- 
turies lavishly poured into this age their richest 
and most precious gifts and today the age with 
its gifts smiles upon all the sons of men. We 
must receive the inheritance as an eldest son of 
yore received his primogeniture estate, with all 
its advantages and its embarrassments. Whether 
the advantages outweigh the embarrassments is 
not the question, neither is it ever an issue. We, 
as inheritors, must and do receive all that is left 
us. We cannot put any part or all of such 
bequeathment from us for such an act is not in 
our power, 

"For we are the heirs of all the ages 

To the foremost files of time." 

As a basis of thought we divide our inheri- 
tance into advantages and disadvantages. The 
former we gladly receive, and the latter we 
would like to put from us. The question is not 
what we receive from the past or from the ages, 
but the question is what we are going to give to 
the future. I wonder if all these declared disad- 
vantages are really disadvantages after all, and, 
if so, cannot we leave less of them to our children 
(ii) 



12 The Beacon JAght 

when they come into their inheritance from our 
hands than we received from the ages? I am 
sure that all that seem disadvantages are not so 
and that we can lessen the number when we pass 
them on to posterity. However, we have some 
things to consider as fundamental principles for 
further inquiry and solution. 

In the first place we need to consider what a 
wonderful inheritance we, who live in this cen- 
tury, have. The past ages have done their best to 
outstrip each preceding one till the brilliancy of 
their achievements has formed a vestment fit for 
a king with a scepter of mighty and far reaching 
power, a king much more autocratic and imperial 
than his father in the line of ascension. To see 
the present inheritance in its full glory all one 
needs to do is to strip himself of all that the pres- 
ent bequeathes and live in the past with only 
what the past had in store. Let me bear witness 
that God has done His very best to give His whole 
creation to man and He lias succeeded in part up 
to date. First in one realm and then in another 
lias God led men on journeys of discovery and in- 
vestigation until we stand where Ave do today. 
One age spent its force in Scientific fields, an- 
other in Geological investigations, one in Astro- 
nomical observations, another in Linguistic acu- 
men, one in the conquest of territory and another 
in extending known facts and civilization to 
hitherto barbaric conditions and peoples. Yes, 



Historical Matter of Fact 13 

what a wonderful inheritance Ave have who live 
today. 

What an invention movable type and the art 
of printing was! Dare we go back to that age 
and live when mankind was without the blessings 
of the printing press? No. Let us take Laurens 
Janszoon Koster, the hero not only of the fif- 
teenth century, but of all succeeding time, and 
make him our household hero. What an act of 
Deity that was that gave to struggling mankind 
the knowledge of the power of steam ! Dare we 
go back before the steamships traversed our seas 
and before railroads belted the land with strips 
of steel and live? No. We would be men most 
miserable with our present knowledge and us- 
ages. Let us take James Watt and Eobert Ful- 
ton, the heroes of all ages since the 18th century, 
and make them our household heroes. What a 
message from heaven to man that was when the 
serviceableness of electricity was revealed to 
finite intelligence! Dare we go back to live be- 
fore the telegraph, the telephone and the other 
electric appliances were? No. Let us take 
Morse, Edison and Marconi, our later heroes in 
science and make them household idols. 

These inventions, with the modern city, vil- 
lage and country government; with the insight 
into surgery and into medicinal and chemical 
properties; with the modern factories and their 
cheap labor ; with the strange struggle for liveli- 



14 The Bra co it Light 

hood among the classes; and with the monopolies 
and combines, unions and institutions for mu- 
tual protection and assistance form our twen- 
tieth century inheritance. Some of these things 
bring with them evils — unremitted evils of the 
baser sort — others bring dangers that are threat- 
ening many of the best things of this civilization, 
others bring untold squalor and misery and woe, 
and many others bring with them the most 
sacred blessings ami privileges granted to man- 
kind. 

Let the inheritance be what it may, we must 
take the whole of it. We cannot receive the 
good, the pure and the unalloyed and reject the 
base, the false and the alloyed. Our inheritance 
cannot be divided. We must receive the whole 
of it. But I declare unto you it is our high 
privilege to lessen the disadvantages and enlarge 
the desirable so as to enjoy the very highest 
possible. The weak man is he who shirks the 
responsibilities that are put upon him because 
he thinks himself incapable of the task; the cow- 
ard is the man who sees the responsibilities and 
duties, but is afraid to obey the summons to ac- 
tion, afraid lie may have to suffer; the knave is 
he who sees the responsibilities and duties, but 
through corruptees of nature will not meet the 
one or do flic other; bul ho who will declare cer- 
tain things are aol when he knows that thev arc. 
is a foci. The wise man will* look facts in the 



Historical Matter of Fact 15 

face and tlien put forth his best efforts to meet 
the responsibilities, assist in what is good, de- 
stroy the bad and with Tennyson sing, 

"Man am I grown, a maws work mast I do, 
Follow the deer? (Xo). Follow the Christ, the 

king; 
Lice pare, speak true, right Wrong, follow the 

king; 
Else, wliercforc bornf" 

for it is true beyond any questioning of men or 
Deity 

"The thrall in person may be free in soul." 

Shall we not be men to do a man's part in 
this great world of which we are living factors? I 
hear a mighty response from the hearts of thous- 
ands saying "Aye, aye, sir. We will. We will," 
And such a response means a square look into 
the face of present conditions without the least 
faltering, and an honest putting forth of the very 
best powers to right wrong. 

If we do what we can the mortgage on the 
future will be cancelled, and that forever. No 
age has been as capable to do more for the ad- 
vancement of that which is pure, true and good 
than the present. Therefore what right has this 
age to do less than all the past? For her vest- 
ments are more kingly and regal in composition, 
value and appearance than any of the past. 



16 The Beacon Light 

Men who live now are living in the privileges 01 

deity and of each it can be said, 

"A. combination, and a form, indeed, 
Where every god did seem to set his seal, 
To give the world assurance of a man." 

Opposition to Secret Orders 

Among the inheritances of the age we find 
the Secret Order. It is true all the Secret Orders 
have not been the outgrowth of this or the last 
century, for some have been handed down for 
many centuries to the succeeding generations. 
Some are modern and some have been modern- 
ized. In the economy of the present times we 
have to deal with them all. It has been asserted 
that Secret Orders are wholly bad and unworthy 
the thought and care of the true man. Are they 
all together and wholly bad? Are they to be put 
away from our presence as a poisonous reptile? 
Are they damaging in part or wholly to the 
highest liberty, usefulness and happiness of the 
human race? I think it would be well to exam- 
ine the argument for and against the Secret Or- 
der. Perchance we might be the wiser by such 
an action. 

Is it not true that ail opposition to Secret 
Orders lies in the following five fields? 

First, That the individual has no rights 
hence the nation or institution has supreme au- 



Historical Matter of Fact 17 

tbority over all men. The most emphatic posi- 
tion taken by a nation was taken by the Roman 
government at the beginning of this era when 
Christ instituted the Christian church. The 
government forbade any secret assembly of any 
kind whatsoever. The government maintained 
that all rights of the individual were submerged 
in the interests of the state, and that no possible 
benefit could accrue to any man apart from the 
state, hence there should be no secret orders, for 
the results were bad. This position was assumed 
from the erroneous principle that all secret or- 
ders were centers of intrigue and treason, hence 
patriotism and loyalty must and could only be 
preserved by crushing out the secret assemblies. 
How bitterly the government persecuted the 
early Christian church is evidenced by the over- 
crowded amphitheater and the arena where 
Christians were murdered both in large numbers 
and singly by man and beast. That alone mani- 
fested the nation's hatred and fear of what was 
then termed a secret council. Even the greatest 
statesmen in the Roman empire believed this. 
From this same principle that the institu- 
tion was everything and the individual nothing 
the Roman Catholic church took her stand as 
antagonistic to all secular secret orders. The 
individual must be governed entirely and explic- 
itly by the church, therefore the individual must 
not have any secrets from the church or from her 



IS The Beacon Light 

ministering servants. The force of her opposi- 
tion and the bitterness of her attitude can only be 
measured by her anathemas and her encyclical 
letters against different institutions that stood 
for secret instruction and oath bound pledges 
given behind closed doors and shaded windows. 

Secondly, The opposition is based on the 
theory that nothing good should be enclosed by 
walls or barred doors, but should be open to the 
masses and not granted to the selected few, and 
that no good can come from taking and repeat- 
ing barbaric vows even though these vows are 
for the uplifting of the human race and the pro- 
tection from outrage and abuse. Upon this ar- 
gument we find some few Protestant churches 
standing. I question whether there is one truth 
or good thing within any secret order but that is 
the heritage of all men world wide, and be- 
cause these institutions have selected some phase 
<>f truth and teach it in their own peculiar way 
is not saying that any man has been robbed. If 
I emphasize love or truth or friendship in my 
own way that is not saying that the world is de- 
nied the blessed relations that are set forth se- 
cretly by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
All could have the same truth or virtue empha- 
sized if they would. 

Thirdly, Much opposition is based upon the 
theory that where woman is not, there no good 
thing can exist, and because some orders shut 



Historical Matter of Fact 19 

out woman that they may practice ribaldry, cor- 
ruption and shameful practices, therefore such 
is the custom of all secret institutions. I honor 
womanhood and nothing can take the place of 
true womanhood, but let me say that some of the 
highest virtues are taught and exemplified where 
men are alone and away from woman's influei.ee 
and restraining power. Such argument is mere 
rot, and persons with a small degree of common 
sense see its weaknesses and its fallacies. There 
is no justice, reason, logic or common everyday 
sense in such arguments. 

Fourthly, Much opposition is evidenced from 
the standpoint that secret orders sever the con- 
fidence and esteem that should exist between the 
husband and wife, and therefore destroy family 
life. The argument is used that the lodge takes 
the husband and father out nights and away 
from the family fireside at such times when the 
most intimate exchange of heart thoughts is pos- 
sible, and thus absorbs his powers so he neglects 
the weightier things of manhood in making his 
hearthstone what it is meant to be. Oftimes it 
goes farther and declares that the secret order 
makes the man take oath to keep a secret from 
his wife and thus severs the one flesh in twain. 
Probably this may seem to some people the 
strongest argument, but such overlook the fact 
that whatever society does not make man a bet- 
ter man, a truer husband, a more worthy conn- 



20 The Beacon Light 

dant, that institution is not worthy of any adhe- 
rents, and that most institutions and secret or- 
defs, if not all, that have taken any caste in the 
affairs of today are those orders that take these 
very elements and inculcate them in their mem- 
bership and demand that their adherents shall 
vitalize them in everyday life. 

Fifthly, We find that some men and institu- 
tions are opposed to the Greek Letter Frater- 
nity and Sorority and other secret organizations 
upon the ground that they create a false view of 
life and instil ideas of aristocracy that are det- 
rimental to the highest scholarship and manhood, 
waste money and establish a false pride with 
many other objectionable things. He who has 
given only a casual glance at College life, will 
see that when the lowest elements are in a man 
they will manifest themselves, and that Fratern- 
ities cannot, at all times, uproot these tendencies 
but that the true fraternity life is entirely op- 
posite to the accusations made above. The whole 
effort of a true fraternity is to bring the member 
to himself, to his strongest powers intellectually, 
socially and morally. What greater and more 
worthy task is there in student or practical life 
.than that? 

It would be useless to prolong a defense 
when the merits of some secret orders are so ap- 
parent. Some of these attitudes of criticism are 
so absurd that they become as nothing. There 



Historical Matter of Fact 21 

are national rights, but there are individual 
rights also, and when the latter have the fullest 
action then the nation becomes the greatest pos- 
sible and when the rights of the individual are 
trampled upon then the nation is the weakest. 
The age has been spent in discovering and devel- 
oping individualism. l^The Gospel of Christ is 
given to teach men the value of the individual; 
to unfold the methods whereby the enthralled 
become masters of themselves and break the 
chains of passion, appetite and habit, thus set- 
ting the solitary captive free; to teach men the 
royal higlnvay to kindliness of manhood, royalty 
of living and the saintliness of the soul. When 
the indivdual is the purest, truest and when he 
rightens wrong, then the nation is elevated in- 
deed. The Gospel of the Christ aims at the indi- 
vidual. Again it has always been the chosen 
few who have advanced the most sacred interests 
of mankind. It has been the favored few who 
have looked into the hidden and brought to light 
the unseen, thus making the modern inventions 
and appliances possible to us. It was the se- 
lected few, selected of God, who formed the cir- 
cle of twelve and the especially favored circle of 
the three that were ever with Jesus, were taught 
of Him and unto whom the most inward 
thoughts and plans of the Son of Man were re- 
vealed. The privilege is given to all but those 



22 The Beacon IAght 

who meet the requirements alone are selected for 
the richest endowment. 

That individual who is so weak that he will 
allow his home relations to be nullified and his 
fireside to grow cold and unattractive because 
of his lodge or club is not worthy of the love of 
any woman nor of the devotion of the children 
that come to his hearthstone. He is to be pitied 
because he is so deficient in judgment and so ab- 
sorbed in what has a legitimate place but never 
interferes with any duty to himself, to his family, 
to his neighbor, to his nation or to his God! 
Man's responsibility in Iris relation to all these 
comes first and for the fulfillment of this respon- 
sibility every true lodge assists to the very high- 
est limit of its power. Where any of these rela- 
tions are nullified and set at naught there is the 
true aim of our Brotherhood frustrated. The 
purpose of every legitimate secret order or insti- 
tution is to assist its adherents to perfect such 
virtues and excellencies within themselves that 
the world at large will recognize their super- 
iority and seek that fellowship. 

Thus false pride will be stripped of its. 
pageantry and the glamor will bo melted by the 
heated rays of t ruth. Cod-fish aristocracy is put 
in the test room and all the mere veneer and 
pretense is removed until the real and genuine 
are subjective and positive realizations. The 
great and eternal truths are placed before the 



Historical Mutter of Fact 23 

self-sufficient and he is caused to tremble at the 
consciousness of his own littleness, nniteness 
and ignorance. Bad is had and no power under 
the sun or in heaven can make bad good. The 
good is good, and nothing in the universe or in 
in the radius of God's creative genius can make 
good bad. K Whenever an institution takes its 
teachings from the most sacred of divine revela- 
tions and inculcates truth established by the 
Lord of Sabbaoth, fighting every thing that is 
evil, that institution is one of the greatest bless- 
ings of any age in which it exists and is one of 
the most priceless jewels in the inheritance of 
time. 



Comradeship Imperative to Man 

Of all creatures from the hand of the crea- 
tor man is most peculiar. He stands alone. He 
is run in a distinct mould unlike anything else. ' 
He has been placed the heralder of the greatness 
of that power or personality that caused his ex- 
istence. After God had wrought marvelously 
and well in the lower creations and seemingly 
had gone to the end of His skill and power He 
wrought still more wonderfully than ever before 
in creating man in His likeness and after His 
image — a thing that could not be surpassed ex- 
cept by Himself — a God. So man is capable of 
the highest achievements and the greatest devel- 



24 The Beacon Light 

opinent. All other creatures of creation stand 
upon the rim of the life lived, and looking on the 
beyond, never question but pursue life on the 
same old level, contented and apparently full of 
happiness. Man, however, stands at the limit of 
his life and, looking out upon the undiscovered 
and unknown, questions. He is never satisfied 
with the old life and he struggles till he grows 
larger and thus making his world larger, under- 
stands the hither-to-fore unknown. When I look 
upon man, his movements, his achievements, I 
stand with amazement and say with the sage of 
yesterday, "What a piece of work is man ! How 
noble in reason ! How infinite in faculty — in 
form and moving how express and admirable! 
In action how like an angel! In apprehension 
how like a god! The beauty of the world! The 
paragon of animals !" 

As one of our writers has rightly said, man 
is distinctly a separate creation. "Born in the 
heart of man is the desire for fellowship. The 
tiny babe will, at first, look with wondering eyes 
into the face of the observer and, receiving a 
kindly and sympathetic message, coo back its 
thanksgiving. From when came this knowledge 
of comradeship? Is it not innate, the very 
heritage of man? The beast can roam the woods 
and fields alone, making his hiding place and 
home in the solitary jungle, and following his 
own inclinations and satisfying his own appe- 



Historical Matter of Fact 25 

tites and passions, will be always happy and 
contented. The bird of the air may rise into 
the azure blue, and alone ride the storms, mount 
the very whirlwinds and in far withdrawn dis- 
tances from his mate or nest, sound his note and 
sing his own sweet lay. Just as long as he is per- 
mitted, in his own element and atmosphere, to 
lead his own life after his own way he will be 
happy and contented. But away from these he 
will droop and die. Comradeship is not essen- 
tial to his happiness. 

Man is radically different. He demands com- 
panionship. Alone, the highest and best in his 
life cannot be attained. It is only in mingling 
with his kind that the most beautiful of all ele- 
ments of character and soul is possible. The 
clear sky of his own peace and contentment may 
be over him, but that sky becomes clearer when, 
forgetful of self, he lives and acts for his fellows. 
When he can give and receive, then he is great, 
but where he can give the most and receive the 
most there is he the greatest. Alone, living the 
life of the beast of the field, he cannot do this." 
Alone, he degenrates. Alone, all the highest 
ideals and lofty aspirations disappear and man 
is found imitating that which partakes of a low- 
er creation. Alone, his excellencies soon are gone 
and his loveliness vanish eth away. Alone he eats, 
drinks, sleeps and indolently pursues the course 
of the day, and as it closes in the vailing of the 



- r > The Beacon Light 

sun he drowsily turns to his couch where dark- 
ness hides him in his filth. The cry for compan- ) 
ionship is the natural cry of the" highest— the 
divine— within him. When this environment is 
granted him lie lives no common life, but he 
lives a life likened unto a God and 

"A% through the azure blue 

The starry chariots onward glide, 

Majestically, so man^—the true-— 

Companioned is the first to hide 

Within immortal life and do 

The Qod given heaven born beside." 

"The highest companionship is evidenced in 
kindred aims and thoughts. When there is 
nothing in common, fellowship cannot possibly 
exist. Where the greatest scope of vision is 
mentally shared, there the greatest fellowship 
is possible. To get men to think alike on a theme 
or element of life is to introduce them into a 
common world which they possess co-ordinately 
The pilgrim fathers thought and prayed The 
same passions of their lives, passion for deliver- 
ance from oppression, and freedom to worship 
Cxod according to the dictates of their own con- 
science, formed the mainspring of all hope It 
was that spirit which unfurled the sails of' the 
Mayflower, carried the precious cargo of humor- 
al souls across the stormy Atlantic, planted the 
seeds of universal liberty on a fertile soil and 



Historical Mattel- of Fact 27 

nourished the tender plants that sprang up all 
over the broad acres of a new continent. 

"The united effort of the Jewish people was 
founded upon a common vision. That vision was 
centered in the promised Messiah — one who 
would rule over all and who would reveal all 
things unto his own people. Like the blossoming 
tields and the budding woodlands from nature's 
breast other virtues and excellencies came from 
this hope until Israel became a peculiar people, 
distinct from all the other nations, and until 
queens and kings, beholding her splendor, ex- 
claimed, "the half has never been told." 

"It was a common thought and aim, backed 
with the devotional self-sacrifice, that made the 
Dominican and Franciscan orders of the middle 
ages such powerful forces for the time being. It 
is the same principle that binds together theJes- 
uits of today and has made them the rulers of the 
Vatican for these years, allowing them to shapen 
the thought and belief of the present Roman Ca- 
tholic world. Who can check the power of a 
united world, is asked. No one, for '"united we 
stand'- amid severest trials. 

"The scientific mind, acr-ustomed to pro" 
found research, finds its atmosphere of life in the 
communion of congenial and awakened spirits of 
inquiring mould. When in such society the hours 
fly, the past is only a fleeting shadow, the present 
is never slow in its sweep and the future is for- 



1>8 The Beacon Light 

ever knocking at the door for admission. Why? 
Because the sublimest companionship has been 
discovered. To the careful observer the aim and 
purpose of all good is to furnish a common basis 
of true living. To erase discord and to expunge 
differences is only to find a common interest. 
Then from this foundation or corner stone a 
beautiful, as well as mighty structure may be 
built. How often this has been successfully done! 
The greater the common interest the broader is 
the basis and then the greater and more imposing 
will be the superstructure. The source of all fra- 
ternity is found innate, born in man, the heritage 
of God to mau. To no other form of creation do 
we find bequeathed such a craving or such a 
possibility, for God made man in His image and 
after His likeness. No sublimer reason can be 
given for man's kingly position in the world's 
affairs." • 

It would be but just to say that from this 
fiat of God sprang the images of the divine until 
the world was peopled. All men belong to one 
common family and are brothers. It is the spirit 
of brotherly love that guides man groping 
through the darkness and doubt into the light. As 
much as man would be of himself and entirely in- 
dependent lie cannot shut himself up in himself 
and refuse the good offices of his brother-man. 
No human being can be absolutely independent. 
It is self-evident that 



Historical Matter of Fact 29 

"God never made an independent man; 
■TwouJd jar the concord of His general plan." 



The Foundation of Our Order 

The existence of our brotherhood is the re- 
sponse to a universal cry. Within the soul of 
man are the cravings for a strangely vital union 
among kindred spirits wherein a helpful and 
congenial companionship that will sweeten and 
bless life may exist; wherein the evils of preju- 
dice, intolerance and bigotry may be forever re- 
moved from them; and wherein every austerity 
and rugged experience may. be softened into 
a tender and mellow glow by sincere and pro- 
found sympathy expressed and lived by the ad- 
herents of that institution. Our Brotherhood is 
an institution that emphasizes purity, chastity, 
love, virtue, devotion and the most delicate gra- 
ces demanding a new and strong and invincible 
faith in them ; and teaches a higher ideal of life 
than hither-to-fore held by the people en masse 
anywhere. As a means to this end its first and 
fundamental principles enunciated and impress- 
ed upon the candidate at the threshold are of this 
exalted caste, and to further this high purpose it 
has unsheathed its sword in perpetual warfare 
upon ignorance, superstition and vice in all its 
forms, and the hosts of evils that beset man at 
every stage of his earthly pilgrimage. Will you 



•30 The Beacon Light 

not agree with me that such an institution de- 
serves most carefu] consideration and thought 
by all who are interested in the welfare, advance- 
ment, permanent security, happiness and unin- 
terrupted joy of the human race 

As a token of its sincerity and inherent no- 
bility our order is now recognized everywhere as 
a positive blessing, yea a veritable benefaction to 
the human race. Wherever the insignia of the 
order is seen it is accepted as the heralder of a 
priceless privilege and a welcome retreat from 
many of the unhappy heritages of human efforts 
and accidents. Likewise wherever Odd Fellow- 
ship is, it is accepted as a guide— a beacon light 
strong and clear to the tempest-tossed upon the 
stormy seas of human woes ami disasters; a re- 
treat from their dangerous surroundings to a 
blissful rot within the haven of pure delights. 
What the skeptical and suspicious years have re- 
ceived into their confidence after a close scru- 
tiny and thorough investigation, deserves and is 
worthy of our consideration, and we need not 
fear to smile upon it or even take it to our 
hearts most affectionately. Odd Fellowship has 
been tried and found not wanting, put in fires 
and purified and separated from all or most of 
the dross. 

Some people make overmuch of antiquity, 
and in extravagant phrases clothe the venerable 
m kingly garb, thus attributing excellencies be- 



Historical Matter' of Fact 31 

cause of age when often no excellencies exist in 
reality. These often seek a veiled origin in the 
misty shades of the yesterdays and under pool! 
or artificial lights rather than a modern birthday 
with modern blessings. These often declare 
omne ignotum pro magnifico — "Whatever is un- 
known is from the magnificent", and will reason 
no farther than that. Some other people are 
radically modern and are for modern things. 
These ridicule everything that bears the stains 
and marks of age or that carries upward the 
mosses that grow in the soil of time. These de- 
clare that this age of enlightenment has emanci- 
pated us from the gross cruelties of the past and 
given us our inheritances, therefore let us live 
only today and in today, for nothing is of value 
but the modern and what has the marks of the 
present upon it. I think that it would be much 
better to give both past and present their dues 
and side by side study facts as revealed in his- 
tory. Let hoary headed antiquity give us all she 
can and let the youthful present use all she can 
to bless and uplift the human race by her inheri- 
tance and by her own genius. 

We need to remember some very potential 
facts in these days of strife for our own views. 
Yery little depends upon our opinion of things. 
The great absorbing fact in our lives should be 
wh ether we have gotten the truth into our grasp 
or not. We should ask ourselves "Have I the 



32 The Beacon Light 

truth?" The existence of a fact or thing does 
not depend upon the knowledge of its existence 
or a label whereby it is distinguished from other 
facts or things. The explorer had not directed 
his boat up the Nile nor traversed the rugged 
path near its source for centuries, but the Nile 
and its source existed without a name. The poor 
Indian roamed over the happy limiting ground of 
the primeval forests, decades before the prow of 
a brig from civilized Eurpoe touched the shores 
of the new world. The lightning played in the 
heavens, leaping from "peak to purple peak re- 
mote' long before the hand of a genius ever seized 
it, saddled and bridled it, and leaping upon its 
back mode it the servant of man. The power of 
steam has lain hidden in the clear water of the 
placid lake or rapid mountain stream since the 
beginning of time, but it was the hand of a mod- 
ern intelligence that manifested its utility at the 
call of man. Long had the X-ray struggled to 
assert its superior use to the research and investi- 
gation of the inquiring mind before its power 
startled the scientific and intellectual worlds. 
Wireless telegraphy was as possible in the- days 
of Adam, Noah, Samuel or David as in these 
later days, but man had not read this page of Di- 
vine revelation to man. When he had, then dis- 
tances spake with distances and the unseen vis- 
ited with each other and whispered the secrets 
of their own hearts one to the other. All these 



Historical Matter of Fact 33 

existed and waited the ages past for a mind to 
read God's thoughts after Him, yet their prior 
existence is none the less convincing to the mind 
of man." It is not what is known but what is 
that marks creation. Yet what is known by us 
is what marks us and our place in the world. 

Another fact worthy of our recognition is 
that the name we mortals give a thing or insti- 
tution does not affect its inherent energies and 
powers. The thing is one thing and its name or 
recognition another. "Man may take a drug, be- 
lieving it to be another drug or medicine, and 
call it by a wrong name or no name at all, yet 
the effect upon the system will be the same as if 
he had known the truth. The physician may give 
his patient an unknown remedy for his malady 
which will work its cure. The power of the drug 
or remedy does not depend upon the knowledge 
of the recipient. It has a power, a force, a poten- 
tial energy essential to its oavu constituency, an 
innate and imperative entity without which the 
remedy or drug would be changed. It is non- 
essential where you find it, there you will find 
coexistent with it the potential part. A certain 
dog Avas poisoned by accident. He staggered to- 
ward the woods, and, upon finding a certain root, 
ate it and was cured. The poor Indian who loves 
his dog, filled with dread and anguish, follows 
him. The Indian, amazed at the cure, wonders 
at the power of the herb and marks it. Later he 
is poisoned. In his extremity, he, too, finds the 



34 * The Bra co it IAght 

same herb. He eats it and he also is cured. 
From this time on this peculiar herb has a pe- 
culiar name and is known among the men of the 
forest." Its potential clement has been discov- 
ered, and therefore it has a new place in human 
affairs. 

There is only one conclusion to get out of 
such an argument — the name does not make the 
thing itself. We may name and rename; we may 
christen and re-christen, but the same is. Bear 
well this fact in your life. Nobility of life is not 
letter but spirit. Wherever are found the ele- 
ments of nobility there we discover the nobility of 
life. There is a wide 1 difference between the 
beast and the man. Different elements make up 
each life. Wherever you find either set of ele- 
ments there yon find the distinct creation. A 
man is a man, for the life is within him. He will 
act the part of a man. Wherever we find the 
principles of Odd Fellowship there it exists, even 
if not in name. It does not change the jackal to 
paint his fur or stick ostrich feathers in his tail. 
Where 4 we see men desiring more light, loving 
virtue, practicing benevolence, seeking and pur- 
suing truth, expressing devotion to fellowmen, 
there you find a distinct and noble type of Odd 
Fellowship. I do not say in name, but I do say 
in spirit. What's in a name anyhow? "That 
which is called a rose would smell as sweet by 
any other name." The foundation of the Order 



Historical Matter of Fact 35 

therefore must lie In the intrinsic essential ele- 
ments which make the thing and without which 
the thing cannot exist. Name or no name the 
elements mark the thing as existing and the ab- 
sence of the elements is prima facie evidence 
that the things do not exist. , 



Some Ancient Orders 

It is always interesting to know history. 
This should be as interesting in reference to> in- 
stitutions as to nations and men. With this in 
view, let us glean where Ave can. 

r \Iany institutions have been the heritage of 
the ages, having been handed down to us from 
our remote forefathers. Many more have arisen 
only to sink in oblivion. A few have only nanies 
to give the proof of their former existence with- 
out a single torch to lighten any night of dark- 
iess. In Christ's time we read of the Pharisees, 
Sadducees and Essenes.. The latter especially 
was a secret fraternity of great power in its day. 
In the palmy days of Greece there Avas an order 
of peculiar mark, called the "Elensynian Mys- 
tries." The candidates, after six days of trying 
ceremony and under an awful oath of secrecy 
were admitted into the inner sanctuary where 
they were allowed to see the sacred objects of 
the order. The corner stone of this institution 
was laid away back in the infancy of science 



;j(; The Beacon TAght 

whose votaries were bound together by solemn 
vows to reveal to none but the initiated her 
glories. Religion also had thrown her solemn 
sanction around these mystic arts of science and 
art, thus widening her empire of power. Egypt 
was known for her profound researches in early 
scientific fields. Here guilds and orders 
abounded. The Grecian philosophers and 

writers were initiated by the Egyptian priest- 
hood into their Egyptian erudition and mys- 
teries ami would return home to Greece laden 
with the world's wisdom. Euclid, T hales, Socra- 
tes, Plato and Lycurgus were among the many 
who were thus enlightened. By this method the 
secret organizations passed over the world and 
from this source we have had both bad and good 
organizations. Among the latter are the "Diony- 
sian Artificers," "Kasadeans" "Fraternity of 
Builders" and "Fraternity of Ancient York Ma- 
sons" whose existence testifies to their power. 
None can tell the thousands of orders hidden in 
the crumbling debris of oblivion. 

We are more interested in the antiquity of 
Odd Fellowship. What of her? Great claims 
have been made along this line. These should not 
be ignored, but given due consideration. It ifc 
true at an assembly of Odd Fellows held in Scot 
laud in 1840, one Mr. Cooper, a gentleman well 
informed on Odd Fellowship, declared that the 
order was first established by the Roman soldiers 



Historical Hatter of Fact 37 

during the reign of Nero in 55 A. D. and he says. 
"At that time they were called 'Fellow Citi- 
zens' and the present name was given them by 
Titus Caesar in 79 A. D., who, from the singular- 
ity of their notions and from their knowing each 
other by night or by day, and from their fidelity 
to him and their country, not only gave them the 
name Odd Fellows, but at the same time as a 
pledge of friendship, presented them with a dis- 
pensation or charter, engraved on a plate of gold, 
bearing different emblems — such as the sun, 
moon, stars, the lamb, the lion, the dove and othei] 
emblems of mortality." In the fifth century this 
order spread over the Spanish dominion. In the 
sixth century by the effort of King Henry it came 
to Portugal, and in the twelfth century it spread 
in France. In the same century John De Neville. 
attended by five knights from France, came to 
England a ad formed a 'Loyal Grand Lodge of 
Honor* in London. This organization remained 
intact until the reign of King George III, in the 
eighteenth century, when a division took place 
and a 'Union/ was formed, remnants of which re- 
main unto this day. These several divisions of 
the 'Loyal Grand Lodge of Honor' gave rise to 
numerous organizations throughout the world 
and have been called at different periods the 
'Loyal Ancient Odd Fellows,; 'The Union Odd 
Fellows,* 'The Manchester Unity Odd Fellows.* 
'Mention is made bv Defoe of the Societv of Odd 



38 The Beacon lAght 

Fellows, but the oldest lodge of which the name 
lias been handed down is the Loyal Aristarcus 
No. 9 y which met in 1745 at the Oakley Arms. 
Borough of South wark, Smithfield, as the Noble 
Master may direct.' The member or visitor upon 
entering the lodge room in these early days would 
contribute a penny to the secretary and certain 
amounts were voted a needy brother. About 
1800 the lodges in London and Liverpol were 
known as the London order. It was in the year 
1809 that a few brothers came from the Union 
in London to Manchester, and formed themselves 
into an organzation and continued in perfect har 
mony with the London branch for a time. Soon 
differences arose which resulted in a separation, 
and in 1813 the association declared itself inde* 
pendent from the Union Order, and formed the 
'Independent Order of Odd Fellows/ In the fol- 
lowing year, 1814, the lodges of Manchester 
and vicinity were consolidated under the title 
of Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the 
Manchester Unity, which increased with great ra- 
pidity and over-shadowed all the minor orders, 
and they were many, in all England. A Grand 
Lodge composed of the Past Grands Avas organ- 
ized and assumed supervision over the subordi- 
nate lodges. In a short time lodges were organ- 
ized in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Africa. 
North and South America, East and West Indies 
and Australasia. There were many minor Uni- 



Historical Matter of Fact 39 

ties, but we have to do only with the Manchester 
Unity, from which ours sprang, viz : the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows. 

These ancient orders tell the call of mankind 
after something not yet ideally wrought out, but 
which was sought for diligently in one form or 
other. I question if any future age will find 
such a struggle in organizing new orders as the 
past. Doubtless the need has been met and the 
heart's-ease is now in our midst and close at hand 
for our relief and enjoyment. I trust such is the 
case, and we have a right to believe it is our own 
order the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 



The Greater Question 

There is a greater question for us to settle 
than the antiquity of Odd Fellowship. Whether 
Odd Fellowship has a long and honorable history 
is of little moment compared to what it is now 
and what it stands for and teaches. Antiquity 
bears with her no certificate or passport of truth, 
goodness or nobility. Dates must give way for 
essence and principle. No institution would be 
better as an organization simply because it were 
as old as the everlasting hills or had witnessed 
the first breaking of the first day. We honor an- 
tiquity and love to roam over historical ground 
and see the arena upon which is heaped the 
crumbling ruins— the testimonv of time. But I 



40 The Beacon Light 

charge you the inquiry of the unitiated is not 
when Odd Fellowship originated, or how ancient 
is your Order, but what is the Order now; what 
does the Order represent and what does the Or- 
der stand for in the world of intense affairs of 
human life. That is the modern spirit that is 
exercising itself and asking certain rights which 
the world must give. Men of modern caste plan 
achievements never dreamed of by the ancient 
mind. "There is no more of the subtle, indefin- 
able light now than there was when the Almighty 
created it; but neither the wise Babel builders, 
nor Diana's craftsmen, nor the Grecian or Ro- 
man philosophers, or Sages, understood, as New- 
ton did, how to analyze, dissect or subdivide it, 
as the anatomist divides his subject." The world 
waited for centuries until Watt, Fitch and Ful- 
ton came to unfold, unveil and unlock the power 
of steam and give to water the swiftness of the 
storms and the power and energy of the whirl- 
winds. The lightning played in the clouds and 
around the mountain peaks for ages before a 
Franklin and Morse seized it and made it speak 
the thoughts of men and obey the expression of 
their will. "Samson slew his thousands with the 
jawbone of an ass," and Shamgar put six hun- 
dred men to death in a day with an ax-goad, while 
the elements that compose the deadly gunpowder 
and the explosive dynamite remained in their se- 
cret chambers. It took Schwartz of Germany, 



Historical Matter of Fact 41 

to send the one, and Nobel to send the other out 
into the world with its roar, to blast, to terrify, 
to mutilate and to destroy. It was an humble 
German in the fifteenth century, and not a wise 
old man of antiquity, who made printing of in- 
finite value to the world. I do not disparage the 
wisdom or heritages of the past, but God has 
blessed us to-day as well, 

"For ice arc the heirs of all the ages 

To the utmost files of time/' 
and we stand » on the shoulders of the past, 
reaching out and up, thinking, acting, achieving, 
because the past has gone on before. Principle 
and life are everything. This is what we con- 
tend for, for it is principle, not a name; truth 
rather than antiquity; original greatness rather 
than ancient identity that proves the value of 
person or institution. 

Would you be surprised if the material, the 
life-blood, the heart and soul of Odd Fellowship 
are as old as the sunlight that kissed into smiles 
the astonished face of the first image of God in 
the Garden of Eden, when he stood a finished 
product from the hand of his creator? Undoubt- 
edly the ages past witnessed many individuals 
who were the embodiment of the virtues and ex- 
cellencies of our beloved Order. Their number we 
would not venture even to suggest. Here and 
there arose heroic figures, who "put their trust 
in God" and "feared no- evil;" who abstained 



42 The Beacon lAght 

from and warred against "vice in all its forms;" 
who were superior to the "contaminating influ- 
ences of selfishness, lust and pride;" Avho flung 
the javelin of manhood and brotherly love 
against tyranny and oppression ; avIio crushed 
cruelty beneath the heel of rebelliousness and de- 
throned revenge from her accustomed seat. Man 
in all ages knelt at the shrine of these virtues and 
practiced their mandates, desiring light, loving- 
virtue, practicing benevolence, seeking truth, ad- 
vocating brotherly love and fraternal relations. 
For "we are Odd Fellows only when we speak 
and act like honest men." True Odd Fellows re- 
ceive the treasures of the past, but live in the 
present, practicing goodness like the Samaritan 
on the way from Jerusalem to Jericho, evidenc- 
ing friendship like David and Jonathan even to 
the risk of life 1 , vindicating fideltity of soul like 
Moses in rather being a leader of his people than 
sitting on Egypt's throne, and proving love and 
truth like Christ the Saviour of men did in a life 
(if self-sacrifice. To be true Odd Fellows means 
that we must be the best of men. Do you not 
think after all that the nobler part is what we 
should emulate rather than a family tree or the 
color of the blood that flows in our veins? This 
class of men have existed throughout the cen- 
turies, and who will declare they were not Odd 
Fellows. The question of greater proportions 
is the one of genuine quality and not age, worth 



Historical Matter of Fact 43 

and not ancestry, inherent power and not family 
lineage. 



The Nature of American Odd Fellowship 

As time changed so must the complexion of 
institutions change. We have today the modern 
product and all of the modern complements. 
One familiar with the Odd Fellows lodge as we 
have it today, the product of modern thought and 
machinery, and going into an early lodge at the 
dawn of the order, would not recognize the two as 
the one and the same institution. Then the order 
is mentioned as a place where the recreative ele- 
ment is uppermost and where the pleasures sweep 
the board from the opening to the closing. The 
early English lodges were not supported as they 
are today. Then their members were relieved of 
distress by each member and generally, also, by 
the visitor contributing a penny to the proper of- 
ficer on entering the lodge room. There were no 
regular set dues by the quarter or year aside from 
this contribution. 

The aims, objects and characteristics of the 
order may be seen in what they did for their 
members. The lodges were originally organized 
by workingmen and their sessions became occa- 
sions of social and friendly intercourse as well 
as opportunities of giving aid to distressed and 
needy brethren and assisting those out of work 
to obtain employment. When a brother could 



44 The Beacon TAght 

not find work in the immediate vicinity lie was 
given a card and some money to carry Mni on 
to the next lodge, where he would seek for em- 
ployment. If he were unsuccessful in this com- 
munity this was again repeated and so on till 
lie was successful. Wherever he would find em- 
ployment there he would deposit his card and be 
at home, that lodge becoming his home lodge. 

In those early days of the Order's existence 
each lodge was the supreme court of all its own 
actions — the arbiter of its own fate and was 
practically supreme. There Avas no unifying 
power or head anywhere. Whenever a member 
desired to institute a new lodge he could do so 
by gathering congenial spirits around him and 
organizing; so self-institution prevailed every- 
where. As a result and the logical outcome, se- 
cessions from lodges were very frequent and 
thus much was rendered impossible which were 
pledged agreemdnts — the very blood of the 
lodge's existence. The power and blessings of 
a united brotherhood had not yet presented 
themselves favorably to the general order. The 
universal truth that "in union there is strength" 
had not become self-evident to the intelligence 
of the Order and central goverment had no ad- 
vocate. Thus a dense chaos ruled in spite of 
every effort otherwise. 

The officers were few in number. Their 
titles were borrowed from the Order of Gregor- 



Historical Matter of Fact 45 

mns. In later discoveries we find a striking sim- 
ilarity between the officers of Early Odd Fellow- 
ship and the "Ancient and Xoble Order of 
Bucks" which took high rank side by side with 
the Free Masons, as late as 1722. 

The sessions did not witness any elaborate 
ritualistic service, for at first there was little or 
no form in conducting the business of the as- 
sembly. Like most gatherings of that class in 
the early day business was dispatched in the 
quickest and most informal way, for it was the 
distasteful part. Ritualism was of very slow 
growth for the English, who are naturally very 
conservative in all other things, were tardy in 
this regard and were slow to yield to any inno- 
vations However, the needs became very appar- 
ent, and the essential radical changes occurred, 
much to the benefit of the Order. These radical 
and necessary changes did not wholly reform the 
Order for even unto this day some of the early 
time original characteristic features are enjoyed 
and practiced in the English branch of this 
great family of Odd Fellowship. 

In these early days after the regular busi- 
ness had been transacted the hours were spent 
in social relations which were at times very con- 
vivial in character. Oftimes the elements of 
good-fellowship over the glass and punch bowl 
became the order of the night, and with glass 
and pipe in hand they made the night ring with 



46 The Beacon Light 

merry song and favorite melody. Some of these 
melodies have been handed down to ns. Here is 
one of the earliest poems extant : 

"When Friendship, Love and Truth abound 

Among a band of brothers, 
The cup of jog goes gaily round. 

Each shares the bliss of others. 
"From these delightful fountains flow 

Ambrosial rills of pleasure. 
Can man desire, can Heaven bestow 

A more resplendent treasure? 

"Then let us be social, be generous, be kind, 

And let eaeh talc his glass and be mellow. 
Then well join heart and hand, hare distinction 

behind, 
. And well each prove a heart g Odd Fellow/' 

This conviviality of our early brethren was 
one of their prominent characteristics, but it 
would not be tolerated today. The Order hae 
long since distanced that shade of its assemblies 
and emphasizes the delightful attitude of a 
strong, clean manhood. We thus find the entire 
attitude of our beloved order changed in this re- 
gard, and nowhere do you find a more decorous 
and dignified secular assembly than is found 
within the Avails of Odd Fellowship. This flexi- 
bility is the virtue of the Order, a flexibility 
toward higher and better things. 



Historical Matter of Fact 47 

The Earlier Movement in America 

Probably the first efforts and movements 
toward establishing Odd Fellowship in America 
have never been recorded, and like many other 
institutions of history, the first recorded efforts 
have had many forerunners which were pro 
phetic voices crying out in the wilderness, "Pre- 
pare ye the way, make ye the paths straight/' 
How potent and far-reaching these earlier move- 
ments were we will never know. They are unre- 
corded and have faded away with- the memories 
of those who were their moving spirits. Had 
yon a disposition to enquire yon would find it 
beyond all your powers and outside the pale of 
any human effort. It is fair to assume that every 
true Odd Fellow, leaving his fatherland and 
coming to this new country, longed for the insti- 
tution that had contributed to his happiness 
and well-being in the land beyond the seas. 
Many moons would not pass till he would seek 
to discover other members of his guild or order. 
if not the institution itself. If no institution 
existed it would be a natural result, when suf- 
ficient number were found, that a secret session 
would be held to the mutual happiness if not 
benefit of all present. These lodges were like 
the Arab tents, which came unexpectedly and 
appeared as if by magic upon the unoccupied 
green, and in like manner would gently disap- 
pear in the folds of the night. From whence 



48 The Beacon Light 

they came and whither they would go no one 
knew. But come and go they doubtless did. We 
are limited, in tracing the history of an institu- 
tion, and must deal with the recorded facts, and 
from these discover the date, origin and growth 
of these early movements. To this field of in- 
quiry let us hasten. 

Without doubt, according to recorded facts 
the actal birth of Odd Fellowship in its trans- 
planted condition was in New York City as early 
as the year 1806. There has been some dispute 
concerning this date and place by those who are 
interested in dating the origin at a much later 
time. However the date is entirely trustworthy 
and too clear to admit of even plausible ground 
for argument, let alone for a successful contro- 
versy to be carried on upon that point. This 
earliest organization had a very brief existence. 
The following statements, collated by worthy 
Odd Fellows will give a brief history of this 
early movement: That the first lodge was or- 
ganized by Solomon Chambers, William, E. 
Chambers, John O. Chambers, William West- 
phall and William T waits in the old Shake- 
speare house on Fair street, (later on No. 135 
Fulton street) between Broadway and Nassau 
street, New York City, on December 23rd, 1806; 
that these gentlemen labored faithfully and well 
for the permanent upbuilding of the Order, but 
we find little, if any, trace of their work today. 



Historical Matter of Fact 49 

Nevertheless we must acknowledge the one time 
existence of such an organiation, as it is 
witnessed by the following clippings and testi- 
mony : 

"This is to certify. That I, Wm. E. Cham- 
bers, together with Solomon Chambers, John 
0. Chambers, William Westphall and William 
Twaits, did meet together in the fall of 1806, for 
the purpose of making inquiry and collecting to- 
gether all Odd Fellows, for the purpose of estab- 
lishing a lodge, and after advertising for several 
weeks we found just enough to fill all offices and 
the following are the names of the first five that 
met together: Solomon Chambers, John C. 
Chambers, William E. Chambers, William West 
phall, and William Twaites, comedian; and af- 
ter we had collected the remainder, and in fact 
all we could, we then concluded to raise and 
form a lodge, as three of us had passed the chair 
in the old country. We then made up our minds 
to establish a lodge at the house of Thomas 
Hodgkinson, known as the 'Shakspere Tavern,' 
in Fair street, now 135 Fulton street, between 
Broadway and Nassau street, on the left hand 
from Broadway. This house was frequented by 
theatrical gentlemen, therefore we gave it that 
name, and called it the 'Shakspere Grand Lodge 
of Odd Fellows,' and believing there was no other 
lodge in the country we set our shoulders to the 
wheel, and all, like good Odd Fellows, went to 



50 The Beacon Light 

work in making what we could toward it. So 
we persevered, completed our work and had as 
handsome a lodge room as any in the city now. 
After that we went to work and appointed our 
officers, in the following- order: Solomon Cham- 
bers, M. N. G. ; John 0. Chambers, Y. G. ; William 
E. Chambers, R. H. S. to M. N. G. ; Richard Ford, 
L. H. S. to M. N. G. ; Benjamin Warry, R. H. S. 
to V. G. ; James Chesterman, L. H. S. to V. G. ; 
William Westphall, Warden; William Helass. 
Guardian; and J. D. Myers, Secretary. Pre- 
vious to J. I). Myers being a member William 
T waits acted as Secretary; then we initiated our 
worthy host and considered our work done. 

"'The night we opened the Lodge we received 
propositions for about fifteen members. This was 
good encouragement, and it caused us to labor 
cheerfully, and we continued our labors and im- 
provements in such a manner, that, during the 
first quarter,' we had over eighty good and faith- 
ful Odd Fellows, and the Lodge continued in a 
flourishing state for a long time at the above 
house, where myself and my brother and father 
all passed the chairs. After some time the 
lodge was removed to the 'Trafalgar' house in 
Gold street, kept by Brother Edgarly, as we had 
not sufficient room where it was first established. 
After that it was removed to the 'King of Bells' 
in 'Coffee-House Slip 1 kept by Brother Spencer. 
After that time it seemed to fail and I believe it 



Historical Matter of Fact 51 

was pretty much the last, for as I had to leave 
New York for the frontier during the last war, I 
heard no more of it, and when I returned I could 
not trace it out, and so it slept for a time. -But 
during my time we were applied to for a branch 
to go to Philadelphia but whether it was granted 
I cannot tell. My father and brother and my- 
self passed the chair during its continuance, and 
also Captain John Hewitt and William Moore/' 

To all idiom it may concern : The above 
document is a true statement of the first forma- 
tion of the Order of Odd Fellows in the City of 
New York, made by William E. Chambers, the 
only surviving founder in the City of Ncav Y^ork 
of the Shakspere Grand Lodge of Odd Fetllows,. 
instituted and opened the 23rd of December, 
1806. William E. Chambers^ 

"527 Greenwich St., X. Y." 

"Tills is to certify. That I, John C. Cham- 
bers, was one of the founders of the first lodge of 
Odd Fellows instituted and opened the twenty- 
third of December, 1806, at the house of Thos. 
Hodgkinson, known then as the 'Shakspere Tav- 
ern 7 No: 17 Fair St., now called Fulton street, 
in the City of New York, and said lodge was 
hailed and styled the 'Shakspere Grand Lodge 
of Odd Fellows.' John C. Chambers. 

Pougkkeepsi,, New York. 
"P. G. M. of the Loyal Independent Grand 
Lodge, Westminster, England. 



52 The Beacon Light 

"I hereby certify. That I was made a mem- 
ber of the 'Sbakspere Grand Lodge,' held at the 
'Shakspere Tavern' in Fair street, now called 
Fulton street, in the year 1800; and that Solo- 
mon* Chambers was Most Noble Grand and John 
C. Chambers was Vice-Grand, AY. E. Chambers 
was R. H. S. to M. N T ! G. 

John R. Thomas. New York." 

" Tli is is to Certify, That I was a member of 
the 'Shakspere Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows' 
about the year 1807, held at 'Shakspere Tavern' 
kept by Mr. Hodgkinson in Fair street, now Ful- 
ton street; Mr. Solomon Chambers was Most 
Noble Grand and Mr. John C. < Chambers Yiee 
Grand. 

"The only surviving members I now recol- 
lect are Mr. James Chesterman, Mr. John C. 
Chambers and Mr. William E. Chambers. 
William DuBois, 
No. 285 Broadway, N. Y." 

This is to Certify, That I was a member of 
the 'Shakspere Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows,' 
held at the 'Shakspere Tavern' in Fair street, 
now Fulton street, in 1800, or thereabouts, with 
Mr. William E. and Mr. John C. Chambers and 
their father Solomon Chambers, who was M. N. 
G. and John was V. G. Mr. William DuBois. 
of Broadway, was a member. 

James ( 'hestekmax, 
710 Broadawy, N. Y. 



Historical Matter of Fact 53 

••Shortly after my return from New Orleans 
in the early part of 1819, as near as my memory 
serves, I was proposed by Mr. Xexson, a school 
teacher and then acting as secretary, and became 
a member of 'Shakspere Lodge, Xo. 1.' At this 
period it was generally conceded that the 'Shak- 
spere' was the oldest — if not the only — lodge in 
the United States. We held our meetings in the 
house, corner of Cedar and Temple streets, occu- 
pied by Mr. William Moore, who had been a 
member of the theatrical profession. I remember 
well that at his house we elected as Treasurer, 
the performer, Mr. Hopkins Robertson, who 
died while holding that office, and by a unani- 
mous vote of the Lodge the funds then in his 
possession reverted to his widow. * * * * 

"About two years after, the Lodge was re 
moved to the house occupied by Mr. Mahany, in 
Chatham near Spruce street, where we opened 
under the name of 'Franklin Lodge No. 2.' It 
was in this Lodge that General George P. Mor- 
ris, editor of the 'Mirror' passed the chairs, I 
was elected Secretary at this period, and contin- 
ued in that situation for two years, during which 
time the Lodge was removed to Water street, 
near Beekman slip. I left the city soon after, re- 
moving to this location, and know not what be- 
came of certain books and documents at that 
time under mv control. I can not say who sue- 



54 The Beacon Light 

cceded me as Secretary, but understand that 
they merged into the 'Columbia Lodge/ 

"As regards the antiquity of 'Shakspere 
Lodge No. 1/ I never heard it questioned; and I 
am assured there are members now living who 
can testify that it existed in this city fourteen 
years previous to my becoming a brother, in 
1819, at which time it avus revived under the 
old dispensation. 

"Manly B. Fowler; X. Y." 

It is affirmed by one Charles Sherwood of 
New York — a man of excellent ability and in- 
tegrity — that beyond a question of a doubt in 
the year 181G a few Odd Fellows, of foreign 
birth, met together in New York and organized 
themselves into a lodge which they called "Prince 
Regent's Lodge." This organization soon disap- 
peared. In 1822 a charter was secured from 
the "Loyal Beneficent Duke of Sussex Lodge No. 
2" of Liverpool, England, for the "Columbia 
Lodge No. 1" of the City of New York. More 
than likely these fragments of all these lodges 
gathered with the "Shakspere Grand Lodge of 
Odd Fellows/' after having passed through 
many changes both in location and name, and 
were absorbed by the "Columbia Lodge No. 1" of 
New York City. , 

We accept this data for what it is worth as 
data of the beginning of recorded American Odd 
Fellowship, and render to New York City the 



Historical Matter of Fact 55 

honor of being the birth -place of at least one of 
the many branches of our order. We will not 
rob any age, decade or place of one star in its 
crown or dim its lustre the least. We rejoice 
rather that these at first barely visible, but later 
more brillian t streamers had been seen and were 
joyfully received, for they were the heralders of 
the brighter day that then "stood tip-toe on the 
misty mountain top." The day was coming and 
the streamers foretold of its approach and its 
splendor. We now see their purpose and we her- 
ald them for what they were, we make them a 
part of what we hare, and by their light are led 
on to their goal, eyen toward the earth's re- 
motest corners. 



The Origin of Our Present Order 

To be conversant with the facts of history, 
these early orders and the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows as it is now and was in 
1819, is sufficient to be convinced that there was 
and is some salient element in the Order that 
makes it a very different institution from all the 
rest of the Secret Orders. We would not repudi- 
ate our debt to the earlier Order which formed 
the stalk to which was grafted the later Order 
that budded, blossomed and then matured into 
the fruit of the present Odd Fellowship. This 
is our heritage and will be the heritage of all 
time. Nevertheless our present organization had 



56 The Beacon FAght 

its beginning and its growth that resulted in its 
fruit-bearing. The root of this tree had pene- 
trated the same kind of soil that sent forth other 
institutions which tried to establish Odd Fellow- 
ship in the new country. It was the same hun- 
gering for fellowship and for congenial spirits 
thai fed the flames of zeal which accomplished 
so much for the Order as well as for the migra- 
tory members of this brotherhood. It was the 
same longing in the heart of humanity for kin- 
ship that sent forth the cry, in a minor key teem- 
ing with emotions, for the establishment of a fra- 
ternity that would drive away every element of 
h 'inesiekness. It was the same capacity for a 
friendship of the snbliniest caste that sent a 
challenge across the great Atlantic to institu- 
tions in England in which were boasted privi- 
leges — a challenge to produce the finest type of 
fraternal relations in all the Avide world. It was 
the same loyalty to humanity on fire in the 
hearts of a few workingmen that sent to distant 
shores petitions for the right to organize an in- 
stitution in which the Brotherhood of man would 
be fostered and practiced by all. There was 
some peculiar element within this peculiar in- 
stitution that made it so potential and beloved 
of men. 

There is no question but that Thomas Wil- 
dey was the actual organizer and moving spirit 
in founding Odd Fellowship as it exists in Amer- 



Historical Matter of Fact 57 

ica and in the Isles of the sea today. Born in 
London on June 15th, 1782, at the early age of 
twenty-two lie was initialed into the "Independ- 
ent Lodge" at Bath, England. He- served three 
terms as Most Noble Grand, while in England. 
He embarked July, 1817, and the second day of 
September. 1817, arrived at Baltimore, Mary- 
land. Accustomed to the enjoyment and advan- 
tages of the society and fellowship of Odd Fel- 
lows, it would be most natural for him to im- 
mediately begin an inquiry and search for a 
lodge. Imagine his surprise when he was in : 
formed by a foreigner — a fellow companion — 
and an Odd Fellow, John Welch, that there were 
no lodges in Baltimore. 

These two immediately began plans to 
change the existing conditions. Months of 
scheming and planning passed. Five members 
were necessary to organize a lodge and by all 
the scheming three other members were not 
found. Finally as a last resort they advertised 
in the Baltimore American on February 13th, 
1819, as follows : 

Notice to All Odd Fellows— A few mem- 
bers of the Society of Odd Fellows will be glad 
to meet their brethern for consultation upon the 
subject of forming a lodge. The meeting will be 
held on Friday evening the 2nd of March, 1819/' 

While this notice did not give the place, two 
Odd Fellows responded and John Cheatham 



:>s The Beacon Light 

and John Duncan were added to the list. How- 
ever, one more man was necessary still to or- 
ganize. Private search did not enable them to 
proceed. The missing man was not found. A 
second time they resorted to the newspaper and 
on the 27th day of March, 1819 the same journal 
had the following notice: 

"NOTICE TO ALL ODD FELLOWS." 

4k A few members of the society of Odd Fel- 
lows will be glad to meet their brethren for the 
purpose of forming a lodge, on Friday evening. 
2d of April, at the Seven Stars, Second street, at 
the hour of seven P. M." 

•This advertisement brought forth a certain 
Richard Rush worth, who with John Duncan and 
John Cheatham made the required number. Af- 
ter satisfying each other that all were regularly 
initiated Odd Fellows, and becoming acquainted, 
they agreed to meet on April 26th to organize a 
lodge. The long desired hour came and with 
anxious faces, beating pulses and disturbed 
breasts they assembled and here on April 20th. 
1819, these five: Thomas Wildey, John Welch. 
John Duncan, John Cheatham and Richard 
Rushworth, organized "Washington Lodge No. 
1 of the Odd Fellows of the United States." 
Wildey, in the presence of the other four, took 
the solemn obligation and then administered it 
to the others. Thomas Wildey was elected Noble 
Grandj and John Welch, Vice Grand. They d<>- 



Historical Matter of Fact 59 

teraiined that the new lodge should work ac- 
cording to the usages of the English orders and 
operate on the "Ancient method of independency 
of any higher law power." Within a month 
this method was abandoned and the lodge so Light 
a dispensation for competent authority, as re- 
quired under the law of the "Independent Or- 
der." In June, 1819, a series of efforts was 
made to secure a dispensation and charter, but 
each attempt ended in failure. Finally the 
"Abercrombie Grand Lodge, of Manchester," 
which was submerged into the Manchester Unity 
in 1826, responded, and on January 7th, 1820. 
issued a dispensation and sent a charier which 
never reached its destination. In the latter part 
of the year 1819, a Past Grand from Preston, 
England, Mr. John Crowder, came to Baltimore 
and visited this self -instituted body. On his re- 
turn to England he secured from his home lodge 
— "The Duke of York Lodge of the Manchester 
Unity/- located at Preston, a dispensation, dated 
February 1st, 1820, granting a charter to the 
Baltimore organization under the title, "No. 1 
Washington Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Mary- 
land, and of the United States." This action of 
the Subordinate Lodge of Preston, Fagland, was 
confirmed by the Grand Committee of the Man- 
chester Unity. The following is a copy of the 
dispensation granted to AVashington Lodge No, 
1: 



60 The Beacon Light 

"NO. WASHINGTON LODGE I. 

"Pluribus U mi in/ 
"The (hand Lodge of Maryland, and of the 
United States of America, of the Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellowship. 

"To all whom it may concern : This Warrant 
or Dispensation is a free gift from the Duke of 
York's Lodge, of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellowship, holden at Preston, in the County of 
Lancaster, in Old England, to a number of 
brothers residing in the City of Baltimore, to es- 
tablish a lodge at the house of Brother Thomas 
Woodward, in South Frederick street in the said 
city; hailed by the title of 'No. 1 Washington 
Lodge, the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the 
United States of America/ That the said lodge 
being the first established in the United States, 
hath power to grant a Warrant or Dispensation 
to a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellowship into any State of the L^nion, for the 
encouragement and support of brothers of the 
said Order on travel or otherwise. 

"And be it further observed, That the said 
lodge, be not removed from the house of Brother 
Thomas Woodward, so long as five brothers are 
agreeable to holding the same. 

"In testimony hereof. We have subjoined 
our names, and affixed the seal of our lodge, this 



J\b. 1. 



,++* 



********** 




**, 




THE GRJJsTD 

.AKD OF THE 
OP THE 

INDEPENDENT ORDER 

or 

©BMTEHiOWSHIP. 



jit) all -whom, it may concern, this "Warrant or THsptiualion, is a. free gift from the Drat of 
Xodox, of -the Independent Order of OHDTEELOWSHIP, loldeB at ~Prtsion, in. the 
'canty of Xamcaster, in. Old 'Engl m 1 to a number of Brothers reiidmg in (he City of BaZtunore , 
establish, a JLodoe, at the House of Brother TacKM "Woor/warns, in. Scruih. 'Pre Irfrick. Street ir. 
the sail City ; Hsul'd by the Title of "3To. 1 . "WASHINGTOJS'S XODGE. *e Cj.ra Itfffl 
of Maryland, and of the Unite! Statea ofjmrriea " that the iaii3XoMB "being the flrit established, 
in -the United States, hath, pcirer to grant a Wamurf or Dispensation -to a number of Brother* 
of the Indepcndant Order of ODT/FELXOWSHTT. into any State of the Union, for fhe encou- 
ragement ond support of Brothers of the said Order, when on Travel or otherwise.— And. be it 
■ther observed that fh* said Xodgk be not -removed from the House of Brother Thomas 
Woodi»kd so long as live Brothers are agreeable to hold, the aame— - In. testimony hereof 
e subjoined, our Names and. affixed. the Seal of our Xodge this tne Tint Day of February 
One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty. 













FAC-SIMILE OF ORIGINAL CHARTER OF ODDFELLOWSHIP. 



MAROOJf, (aSAX) 



Historical Matter of Fact 61 

the first day of February, one thousand eight 
hundred and twenty." 

John Eccles, Sec'y. 

John Orowder, P. G. 

Saai'l Pemberton, P. G 

John Walmsley, P. G. 

W. Topping, P. G. 

George Ward, P. G. 

George Bell, P. G. 

James Manpsley, G. M. 

John Oottam, X. G. 

George Nailoe, V. G 
This dispensation and charter was received 
on the 23d day of October, 1820, and was form- 
ally accepted by Washington Lodge No. 1. Amer- 
ican Odd Fellowship had now begun in the glory 
of her own virtues with power to receive and 
bestow in the spirit of our own beloved land and 
liberty. 

In speaking of the labors of Thomas Wilder 
and John Welsh in calling together and hunting 
out a sufficient number to institute a lodge, and 
of the assembling of the five to institute the 
lodge, one has said, "Xo motive but the purest 
brotherly love has called them together ; nothing 
but the purest spirit of benevolence, and a desire 
to advance and improve the condition of man 
actuated them to assemble on that occasion; no 
motives of gain, no allurements to wealth or 
power, no high-sounding titles of distinction 



62 The Beacon Light 

brought then) together; they were men without 
any particular influence — with no pecuniary 
means, except such as was necessary for their 
comfort and temporal happiness in the humbler 
walks of life. They, however, firmly resolved to 
surmount all obstacles, and if possible, to plant 
the seed of Odd-Fellowship in the soil of Free- 
dom. What hearts they had and what faith they 
exercised, but it required both to plant a great 
institution. 



The Structure of the Early American Order 

Probably nothing could be more interesting 
to the ardent lover of Odd Fellowship today than 
a careful study of the structure of the early 
American Order and especially at the time of its 
inception into the life of the new country. We 
know what we have today if we are. careful stu- 
dents of existing facts. If Ave do not know, it is 
a question of a few hours application on our 
part, for we have the data. Do we know from 
what Ave came,? Was there a gigantic leap at itte 
inception from the old order of things? These 
are the questions. Are Ave able to strip our be- 
loved intsitution of all its evolution and see the 
Order as it really Avas? If Ave are, then Ave may 
expect to be startled. What the embryo looked 
like is hard to conceive. The trouble with us is 
we are all the time reading back into the early 
conditions the present excellencies. What really 



Historical Matter of Fact 63 

existed in the years 1819-1820 in Washington 
Lodge No. 1 is our problem and it is no easy one. 

In the first place the one lodge was legis- 
lative and operative. Both functions were exer- 
cised. The one and same body became arbiter; 
judge and agent. When its own conduct was 
called in question it alone could determine the 
constitutionality of its action. This lodge was 
independent and supreme, holding in its own 
hand absolute authority over Odd Fellowship in 
the New World. Thus the demand came upon 
the officers to carry on the two-fold functions of 
their offices. We do not question but that they 
did it well. These officers were live in number. 
Namely, Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Permanent 
Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer. 
The same fund was devoted to the two-fold pur- 
pose of legislative and operative kind, and' those 
contributing could but expect the draft upon the 
finances to be of various natures. Under this 
condition the order could not be otherwise than 
of slow growth. 

During the first month ten new members 
were added and then came trouble in the person 
of a Mr. Henry 31. Jackson, who thought he 
would be the founder of the Order in America. 
There were changes in the work in the Manches- 
ter Unity and in getting the copies of these 
changes, ritual and laws, he set out to become 
the pioneer in American Odd Fellowship. He 



64 The Beacon TAght 

was disappointed upon arrival to find a lodge 
already in existence. Never daunted, he gained 
admission to the lodge and then began his 
measures to become the head of the Order. The 
changes were dogmatically inserted and by in- 
dulgence on the part of the lodge were adopted. 
These were probably changes in sick benefit, fun- 
eral benefits, code of general laws and in the 
three original degrees and charges. But the 
manner of imparting this change dampened the 
ardor of the members and for four months little 
Avas done — only four being added to the number. 
The struggle begun by Jackson against Wildey 
was carried on these four months and he did his 
best to put Wildey out of the position of Noble 
Orand The election was in Wildey's favor and 
the dissatisfied element withdrew and formed the 
Franklin Lodge. 

The field of struggle lay now across the 
water and depended upon who would get the 
authority from the Order in England. Washing- 
ton Lodge No. 1, at the suggestion of a Mr. John 
Crowder, made formal application to the Duke 
of York Lodge in Preston — his home lodge, for 
a charter and authority to institute all lodges 
in this country. Mr. Crowder returned and car- 
ried the petition to his lodge and it was granted 
within sixty days- after Mr. Crowder left Amer- 
ica. No charter came and no word from their 
petition reached the American Lodge. Nine 




5-, © . 

£ THIS DISTORTION, 5 

©ranted tm Coni5ni^^^fe0£tbt (SraribftVaattr, 
aiib^ast aii^rfseiitM' ) iO lOfi&ms, from baruro* 

3Imt^ asaemMeti ui^gF (Sxnrxb (Eommtto. 



jaj\ of i?i& Cha7ter c Jbrni£rli£y 
granted by the. Qixiit of 
^Otkeiofyt Trestunsfr- ^ 




certain OFFICERS and BROTHERS ' & the $ti6tyWtfMt &xtitfgf <$>$£. 
Gf^w* in 9fttftii$ttttV intfte 9lniied States (Of America c ^b<^the undersigned,, 
being respectively Officers of the Independent Order ^ Odd FeEows inp 

Great 23 ritain $0 ratify, grant and amfirm such Charier and <$<? also hereby grant aid/vnx 

and empower the Grand Sire. Deputy Grand Sire, Hepresentatires, and~0 
"Proxies, of the above named G-rctnd Lodge of ^America to conduct the 3usinefs 
of <<b6b ^^fiW^j^i^ without the. interference, of any other Country so brig as thejp 
saidZBusmeft of <b6$ ^&>fc>jl)t# is conducted according to the principles andpurify 
of &tf J^ffowfety THIS CHARTER dang granted asaTree Gi&fromine 

&randdn7wal .Moveable Committee i/L Jtfanctiester afsembied on. the fifteenth 

day of Jfayin-the year of our IiOJ'd, one thousand eight hundred and twenty sLc^. 
£}%% yC > itX%&?& whereof -we have hereunto ajjfred our Seats displayed the Colours of our 
Order and subs crib at our Barnes the day and year above written,,^, 















TAC-SIMLLB OF CONTTRif ATION OF THE ORIGINAL CHARTER 



MANCHESTER UNITY. 



Historical Matter of Fact 65 

months passed and Mr. John Yates was return- 
ing to England and another petition was sent by 
him to the Manchester Unity and this was sent 
at once by him upon his arrival at Liverpool. 
The Special Committee acted upon the petition 
and adopted the following resolution, January 
7th, 1821: 

"Resolved, That the Washington Lodge, 
Baltimore, North America, be allowed a dispen- 
sation from the Abercrombie Grand Lodge, but 
the profits thereof to go to the Grand Committee. 
They are likewise allowed lecture books, by-laws 
and articles, and that John Yates be written to. 
in answer to the American letters, desiring his 
attendance at Manchester, from Liverpool, or if 
he cannot attend, to desire that he send an 
answer by return post to know if an officer must 
go and meet him at Liverpool with them, and that 
if an officer be deputed, he be cautioned to be 
as reasonable in his charges as possible, and not 
at any rate exceed one pound for expenses." 

John Yates never received the communica- 
tion, and when he returned to America he found 
that the long-looked-for dispensation (as shown 
fac-simile on page opposite 64) had arrived 
from the Duke of York Lodge and had been ac- 
cepted and the lodge was working under it. 
Franklin Lodge also sent in petition to the Spe- 
cial Committee of the Manchester Unity, but it 
did not arrive till nineteen months late and after 
they had been dulv informed of the action of 



00 The Beacon IAght 

1 hike York Lodge, and so were informed to ap- 
ply to Washington Lodge for dispensation. 
From the date that this American Institution 
was thus authorized to establish Odd Fellowship 
in America it began to grow very rapidly. 

The work given and the teachings inculcated 
were not as we find them today. The early hours 
of American Odd Fellowship witnessed a much 
tamer affair than is seen by the neophyte now- 
adays. At first only three degrees were given — 
the White Degree, the Royal Blue Degree and 
the Scarlet Degree. The other degrees, the Cov- 
enant Degree and the Degree of Remembrance 
were established in 1820. These were not dram- 
atized as we see them in our progressive lodge* 
of today, but were given in the plainest way pos- 
sible. The lectures were delivered and the un- 
adorned lessons were inculcated in the most 
forceful language of the working men of the 
times. We must not lose sight of the exalted 
aim of our beloved institution, for from the very 
beginning the most sacred purposes formed the 
blood, bone and sinew of the order. The needy 
were cared for, the unemployed were looked 
after, the sick were attended, the dead were 
buried, the widow and orphans were supplied 
with the necessities of life and unto them the 
gates of opportunity were opened. There were 
in the early institution those elements that made 
her immortal — that could not crumble and de- 
cay and disappear from the face of the land. We 



Historical Matter of Fact 67 

know some things are of time and of an age. 
When their hour has come they disappear. Bnt 
some things are for eternity and nothing can 
cause them to melt away from the gaze of mor- 
tals. When an institution has enough of the 
eternal and immortal in it, then it will live amid 
the most trying conditions, and after a storm 
has passed will take upon itself the richest of 
drapery and look like a bride adorned for her 
husband. This is a very modest picture of 
American Odd Fellowship. For within the very 
heart and life of this Order were the immortal, 
eternal elements that had unknown and unmeas- 
ured possibilitis of development in them. After 
nearly a century of growth and unfolding, this 
institution is only giving a faint promise of what 
may be expected in the century to come. We are 
yet in the forefront of its greenness, and harvest 
time is so far advanced that we see it not. 



The Subordinate 
Lodge 



A Foreword on Odd Fellowship 

The Subordinate Lodge is the very foundation 
of the Order. It might better be called the ground 
floor of Odd Fellowship. Sometimes I think nei- 
ther one of these figures will cover the case, the 
reason why will doubtless appear as the student 
searches the following pages. In a way upon 
this lodge rest all other departments of Odd 
Fellowship. The later years have witnessed an 
irregularity in the Rebekak degree, but out- 
side this one thing the Subordinate is the 
ground-floor, and through this branch must all 
pass to enter the doors of the other departments. 
Shatter this foundation and you will witness the 
crumbling ami falling of a magnificent struc- 
ture. One has very truly said, "The laboring- 
classes of this civilization form the support, sta- 
bility, endurance, framework, yea, the very fibre 
of government and society. Make the laboring 
classes insecure, distrustful, rebellious and un- 
easy and you send a tremor of unrest and mutiny 
into every avenue of human industry. Destroy 
the laboring classes and you have wasted the 
heritage of all the ages — the civilization of the 
present. " So is the Subordinate Lodge to the 
general order. If you make it strong and firm 

(71) 



72 The Beacon Light 

in this department you have a secure order, but 
if you make it crumble and fall you will wreck 
the whole structure. Out from this parent stock 
have issued the other branches, the Encamp- 
ment, the Rebekah Degree and the Rebekah 
Assembly, the Grand and the Sovereign Grand 
Lodges. Destroy the parent stalk aud you will 
destroy the entire plant, root and branch, and 
quickly every leaf and twig will wither and de- 
ray. Wherever you find a thrifty, healthy stalk 
there you will find the giving of the very best 
life to the branches. 

Much then depends upon what kind of a 
Subordinate Lodge you have and how well the 
elements of healthy life are cultivated and 
watched. There is as profitable service done in 
guarding against destroying elements or agen- 
cies as is done in cultivating and instilling the 
elements that impart the fullest life. We need to 
remember that the one class of work will not do 
for the other, but that both must be done and 
done well if the highest benefits are to be har- 
vested . Tis true the defensive work will not be 
as showy as the progressive, but none the less 
valuable. The watchman is to be commended for 
bis service as well as the advance guard or those 
on duty in the skirmish lines. We need to re- 
member that every class of service which makes 
the healthy life and growth of the Subordinate 
lodge paramount is important. 

This is obtained by having the right kind of 



The Subordinate Lodge 73 

personnel constituting the local lodges. If all 
are industrious, intelligent, hard working, true 
men — such ones as are born Odd Fellows, and 
not made, then you have the center of what will 
prove the right kind. The caste of the personnel 
is generally fixed at the time of the instituting 
of the Local lodge. If the right kind of men are 
secured to be charter members and the right care 
is used in soliciting,- recommending, selecting 
and advancing men there will be no trouble. Of 
course there must be advanced work done for in- 
crease of membership, but here the greatest care 
should be used. Many an order or local lodge has 
crumbled to decay simply because at this point 
the proper care has not been exercised. If you 
plant pumpkins you will raise the same. If you 
put in the choicest kind of gardening you will 
get that which is delicious. 

Again let me say that the most important 
department of all Odd Fellowship is the Subor- 
dinate Lodge, and here are sown the seeds of life 
or death. Guard well the doors and demand the 
best class for membership or never open your 
doors. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
is not a reformatory, neither is it a dumping 
ground, but a band of true brothers who are 
seeking the privilege of living pure, doing good 
and thinking the best of thoughts, being instruc" 
ted in the sublimest of lessons and inspired to 
noblest deeds of mercy. 



74 The Beacon TAght 

How Organized. 

There are certain imperative requirements 
which must be met before a Subordinate Lodge 
can be organized. When these are adhered to in 
every particular it is a very easy thing to get a 
local lodge instituted, but without obedience to 
such laws it is a very difficult task. There must 
be at least live brothers of the third or Scarlet 
Degree, the Degree of Truth, who hold with- 
drawal cards from lodges where they were pre- 
viously in good standing. These five have the 
privilege and right to petition the Grand Lodge 
of a state and, if there is no Grand Lodge in the 
state or district in which these live reside and 
where they wish to establish tin 1 lodge, then they 
petition tin 1 Sovereign Grand Lodge to institute 
a Subordinate 1 lodge located as they suggest. 
They petition in the following form: 

'The petition of the undersigned, holding- 
withdrawal cards from lodges legally recognized 
by your Right Worthy Body, respectfully repre- 
sents that it would be consistent with the advan- 
tage of the Order to establish a lodge, to be loca- 
ted at , wherefor your petitioners pray, 

that a charter (or warrant) may duly issue in 
pursuance of the laAVS of your Right Worthy 
Body." 

This petition is accompanied by the charter 
fee (which is generally thirty dollars) and sent 
to the Grand Secretary, who will present it to 
the proper authorities. Finally it is brought to 



The Subordinate Lodge 75 

the Grand Lodge, and this body will authorize a 

charter as follows to be sent to the petitioners: 

Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 

"To (ill whom it may concern : — The Grand 

Lodge of the State of by authority of a 

grand charter, granted to them from the Grand 
Lodge of the. United States, held in the City of 
Baltimore, State of Maryland, doth hereby grant 
this Warrant or Dispensation, to a number of 
brothers of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows residing in the State of , to establish 

a lodge at the City of , to be hailed by the 

title of , for' the encouragement and sup- 
port of brothers of the said Order when on travel 
or otherwise. And the said Lodge, being duly 
formed, is hereby authorized and empowered to 
initiate into the mysteries of the said Order any 
person or persons duly proposed and approved, 
according to the laws of Odd Fellowship, and 
to administer to true brothers all the privileges 
and benefits arising therefrom; and to enact by- 
laws for the government of their lodge; Provided 
always, that said Lodge do act according to the 
Order, and in conjunction with and in obedience 
to the Grand Lodge, adhering to and supporting 
the articles and charges delivered with the dis- 
pensation; and in deifault whereof this warrant 
or dispensation may be suspended or taken away 
at the decision of the Grand Lodge. 

"And, further, The Grand Lodge, in consid- 
eration of the due performance of the above, do 



7( > The Beacon Light 

bind themselves to repair all damages or de- 
struction of the Dispensation, or charges, wheth- 
er by fire or other accident; provided sufficient 
proof be given that there is no illegal conceal- 
ment or wilful destruction of the same. And the 
Orand Lodge will support this said Lodge in 
the exercise of their duty, and in the privileges 
and honors of the Order. 

"In Witness Whereof, We have displayed 
the colors of our Order, and subscribed our 
names and affixed the seal of the Grand Lodge of 

? this day of , one thousand nine 

hundred and ." 

(Signed by the (hand Master and other officers 
of the Grand Lodge. I 

With the above mentioned five persons any 
number of persons eligible to membership in the 
Order may petition and with them become char- 
ter members. The Lodge will be instituted at 
the fixed time and place by the (hand Master or 
by anyone whom he shall deputize. After those 
of the charter members not having cards are ini- 
tiated and given the three degrees, the newly 
instituted lodge elects officers. These elective 
officers are as follows: Xoble Grand, Vice 
Grand, Secretary (and in some jurisdictions an 
Assistant Secretary ) and a Treasurer. The Xo- 
ble Grand, Vice Grand and Assistant Secretary 
are elected for six months ami the others for a 
year. At the time of the institution if the time 
is long enough for those elected to have the lion- 



The Subordinate Lodge 77 

ors of the office their election is for the remnant 
of the term, but if not, then to the end of the fol- 
lowing term, These officers mentioned constitute 
the visiting and relief committee for the Subordi- 
nate Lodge. 

The Noble Grand and Vice Grand are to the 
Subordinate Lodge as President and Vice Pres- 
ident of any organization are to that institution. 
Such duties as these officers perform they do. 
The other elective officers perform the usual 
duties falling to (heir lot. 

The Noble Grand, upon assuming his office 
and performing his duties witnesses not only the 
installation of the other elective officers, but also 
the installation of the appointees previously 
made by himself and the Vice Grand. He ap- 
points the Warden, the Outside and Inside 
Guardians, the Conductor, the Right and Left 
Scene Supporters and the Eight and Left Sup- 
porters to the Noble Grand, and the Vice-Grand 
appoints the Right and Left Supporters to him- 
self. These officers assume duties peculiarly 
fitted to the Lodge room and to the Order, and 
each task or charge is peculiarly fitted to his 
office, to the lessons that are to be taujght and for 
the uplifting of the principles of the Order. 

While the regalia and jewels of the Subor- 
dinate Lodge may be commonplace to the out- 
side world, yet they are not so within the lodge 
room. There is a significance connected with 
each which the uninitiated cannot understand or 



IS The Beacon Light 

even appreciate. The plea that they are the cause 
of useless expenditure of money falls to the 
ground when what they stand for is understood 
and appreciated. Who that has looked into the 
deep meanings can or dare say that they are a 
"useless expense, a token without meaning, am 
ostentatious display for the purpose of catching 
the eye." To the one who has been regularly ini- 
tiated and properly instructed all these things 
possess deej) and pungent truths cherished and 
not easily forgotten. One lias beautifully said : 
"The insignia of office, per se, amounts to noth- 
ing, and to the one who is unfamiliar with the 
meaning of them they become only ornaments 
and ostentatious display, but to the one who un- 
derstands they speak a varied language. The 
shoulder straps, embossed with bars, oak leaves, 
the eagle, the stars and shield that indicate the 
rank in our army are useless and foolishness to 
any one who is ignorant as to their meaning, but 
to him who knows they are messengers of great 
declarations and decrees which communicate the 
authority of those who wear them. The import- 
ance of a thing rests in the significance it bears 
to the beholder and the power and privilege it 
conveys to the possessor. Without the knowledge 
of these facts the gold is as worthless as shape- 
less stone, and the pebble on the beach would bi- 
as valuable as the most brilliant diamond." 

The Subordinate Lodge must then furnish 
the jewels and regalia for its officers and mem- 



The Subordinate Lodge 79 

bers, as the law requires that the officers shall 
wear the jewels and regalia, of their offices, and 
members shall be clothed in proper regalia dur- 
ing a lodge session, and that no business shall be 
transacted otherwise. The jewels and regalia of 
a Subordinate Lodge are as follows : . 

The Jewel of a Past Grand. — A five pointed 
star, with a representation of the heart and hand 
engraved or stamped in the centre, and of white 
metal. The Regalia. — A scarlet collar, trimmed 
with Avhite lace or fringe and a scarlet rosette to 
be placed on the collar. 

The Jewel of a Noble Grand. — Crossed gav- 
els of white metal. The Regalia — A scarlet collar 
{rimmed with white or silver lace and fringe. 

The Jewel of a Vice Grand. — An hour glass 
of white metal. The Regalia. — A blue collar, 
trimmed with white or silver lace or fringe. 

The Jewel of the Secretary. — Crossed pens, 
of white metal. The Regalia. — A scarlet collar, 
trimmed with white or silver lace and fringe. 

The Jewel of the Treasurer. — Crossed keys, 
of white metal. The Regalia. — A scarlet collar 
precisely similar to the Secretary's. 

The Jewel of a Cha pi 'a in. —The Holy Bible, 
of white metal. The Regalia. — A white baldric 
or sash, which may be trimmed with the color of 
the highest degree to which the wearer shall 
have advanced, but it is preferable to have a pure 
plain white baldric and trimmings for this offi- 
cer. 



SO The Beacon IAght 

The Jewel of the Warden. — Crossed axes of 
white metal. The Regalia. — A black baldric or 
sash, trimmed in white or silver lace or fringe. 

The J tied of the Conductor. — Crossed 
wands, of white metal. The Regalia. — A black 
baldric similar to that of the Warden. 

The Jewel of the Inside Guardian — Crossed 
swords, of white metal. The Regalia. — A blue 
baldric or sash trimmed in white or silver lace. 

The Jewel of the Supporters to the Noble 
(hand. — A wand, having branching arms, con- 
meted by three links, and encompassing a gavel. 
The Regalia. — Scarlet baldrics or sashes trim' 
med in white or silver lace. 

The Jewel of the Supporters to the Vice 
Grand — A wand, having branching arms, con- 
nected by three links and encompassing an hour 
glass. The Regalia — Blue baldrics or sashes 
trimmed as the supporters of Noble Grand. 

The Jewel of the Scene Supporters. — A 
wand arranged in the same manner and encom- 
passing a burning torch. The Regalia. — White 
baldrics or sashes trimmed as above. 

The regalia for members of Subordinate 
Lodge who are not occupying official positions 
are as follows : 

For the initiatory degree, a plain white col- 
lar. 

For the first degree, a white collar with pink 
trimminffs. 



The Subordinate Lodge 81 

For the second degree, a white collar with 
blue trimmings. 

For the third degree a white collar trimmed 
with scarlet. 



After Institution What? 

We might ask the question of a baby, after 
birth what? or of a farmer of a planted tree, 
after planting, what? The first duty after a 
lodge is instituted is to increase its membership. 
Unless this is done the scythe of decay will soon 
sweep a full swath. Nothing can stand against 
the ravages of time save a healthy growth. After 
institution the lodge must grow healthfully. I 
doubt not but the desire of all newly established 
lodges is to increase the roll of membership. 
Great care must be shown here. Let me say that 
one unworthy member admitted will work more 
damage than a score of worthy members can re- 
pair, and be the cause of keeping many from 
seeking admission to Odd Fellowship; men who 
should be in the Order, who are just the timber 
to make a fine structure, to endure the strains 
of a fine institution, and who are naturally the 
ones that find the best benefits within the lodge 
room. Therefore we need the exhortation sound- 
ed frequently: "Guard well the Doors/' 

A word here is in order as to the conduct 
which is worthy of an Odd Fellow. More harm 
or good is done our Order than we think right 



82 The Beacon IAght 

here. A better and healthier growth can be in- 
spired by the right conduct of our membership 
than in any other way. Actions speak louder 
than words. Conduct becoming an Odd Fellow is 
wide in its sweep, fruitful in its yield, and boun- 
tiful in its harvests. There are three fields for its 
cultivation. First, the conduct of the member- 
ship toward each other in the lodge room. The 
lodge room is the common fireside of every mem- 
ber admitted to her privileges, and hence all are 
one family with equal rights, consideration and 
esteem. Here no distinctions can be known, and 
all prejudices, rank and caste disappear. The 
highest life and usefulness of the lodge are at- 
tained by each individual member being the most 
possible to every other member. Thus there must 
be a continuous and genuine brotherhood exist- 
ing between all. Each must and will treat every 
one as brother beloved, equal with himself in 
every way, having the same rights, making his 
interests, sorrows, joys, comforts, burdens, 
hopes, anticipations and honor his own. Pride, 
pedantry, the spirit of patronage, the feeling ot 
self-importance and the assertions of personal 
preference for self will be alien to his conduct 
and on the same plane. Listen to these words and 
not go out from his hand or heart the least inten- 
tional slight or negligence toward any other 
member. In the lodge room all men are equal 
and on the sain plane. Listen to these words and 
heed them well: -The sunburnt cheek and the 



Tlie Subordinate Lodge S3 

horny hand of the laborer are respected as mnch 
as the delicate features and fine clothes of the 
merchant or man of leisure. The well- fed, sleek 
man with a fat purse has no more prestige or 
privilege than the pinched, scarred brother with 
a small income. A man is a man for all that. 
Man, conscious of the fatherhood of God, will 
recognize the stern and exacting truth that in 
His sight man's pretenses and Aeneer are noth- 
ing, but the real character is what has weight, 
whether dressed in broadcloth or homespun. He 
will also recognize that man is measured not by 
his own thoughts of himself or of others, but by 
more sunshine and genuine happiness, by reliev- 
ing his brethren of their burdens and by the 
blessings he has showered wherever he may go. 
Fraternalism, taught and practiced by Odd Fel- 
lows of the true stamp, perfects true manhood 
and makes each consider the rights of others, 
as common children around a common hearth" 
stone, whose father is God and whose mother is 
love; thus under the smile of God, the Father, 
and the tutorship of love, the mother, every per- 
plexity melts away as the snow before a southern 
sun. Here real, true, social kindness lives. 

But under any other conduct in the lodge 
room social kindness will die. Then jealousy, 
envy, hate, resentment and revenge usurp the 
throne and rule with an outraged hand. For our 
own defense, if nothing more, we must nourish 
every feeling of brotherly love toward all who 



84 The Beacon TAght 

are admitted in the lodge room as one of us. 
Therefore Ave must be ready to extend kindness, 
fidelity, loyalty, gentleness, forbearance and 
sympathy to every member. The first duty then 
of every member is right conduct toward every 
other member and that within the lodge room. 
Second, the conduct becoming an Odd Fel- 
low has its phase of life toward the brother Odd 
Fellow outside of the Lodge room. As our 
brothers see us in our relations to our brothers 
in the lodge room, so should those who are not 
i ' the order see us in our worldy relations out- 
side. The same conduct is due every member 
(torn every other one. No two methods of living 
can be countenanced. Odd Fellowship is not 
taught for the lodge room alone, but is taught 
for all places and all circumstances, and that 
brotherly feeling demanded in the hall is de- 
manded as emphatically outside. But the broth- 
erly conduct outside of the lodge room will go 
infinitely farther in establishing the permanency 
of our beloved institution. Very often Odd Fel- 
lows prefer to prove their interests in each other 
by trading with them, if in business, or by em 
ploying them rather than strangers, if they can 
be served as well. In a material way this has a. 
great effect upon the outside world. Every loyal 
member is vitally interested in the success of 
every other member, and thus to a degree he is 
responsible for the advances he makes and the 
achievements he accomplishes. I know that 



The Subordinate Lodge 85 

there is no enjoinment upon us to give our mater- 
ial help in trade or labor, but it certainly is a joy 
to aid and encourage those who are our sworn 
brothers, standing for the same great principles 
as Ave, and fighting the same great battles we are 
fighting. Then the scattered rays of light of our 
excellencies will be centered iuto one orb of prac- 
tical life, shedding brilliant lustre and halo on 
all connected with the order. What an attrac- 
tion such conduct will be, and "As the life of the 
night gathers around and seeks to explore and in- 
vestigate the suspended light in the darkness, so 
the world around will be attracted by the bril- 
liancy of these clustered virtues and will seek 
their continued fellowship." 

Third. This conduct becoming an Odd Fel- 
low is shown by his attitudes toward all life's 
problems and behavior toward the world is gen- 
eral. Odd Fellows do convince the world by their 
lives as neighbors and citizens that the teach- 
ings and practices of their beloved institution 
make them wiser and better and more capable 
and efficient men in the conflict of life; that Odd 
Fellowship gives them strength for the right, 
power in the hour of apparent defeat, skill in the 
crucial point, gentleness in the hour of mercy 
and deep sympathy in the hour of misfortune. 
If the members of our order stand preeminently 
superior to other men in general and are up- 
right, correct and honest in all their dealings, 
charitable and benevolent toward all who are 



86 The Beacon Light 

distressed and in need, industrious and virtu- 
ous in providing for those dependent upon them, 
free from idleness, drunkenness, dissipation and 
evil speaking, the world will soon see the super- 
iority of sueli characters and will be drawn to- 
ward them. Members evidencing conduct other 
than this should be accused before the lodge 
and expelled from its privileges and protection, 
on the charge of conduct unbecoming a mem- 
ber of the Order. This kind of living will win ad- 
herance. Let the membership exercise right con- 
duct both in and out of the lodge work, not only 
to members but to all men, being blameless be- 
fore all men and the order will flourish like a 
tree by the water's edge. 

In soliciting members we have some 
words of caution to follow. The candidate 
sliould be of good moral character, of industrious 
habits, of sound health, a white man of lawful 
age and a believer in the Supreme Being, the 
Maker and Ruler of the Universe. There is an 
old charge long since laid aside that should never 
have gone out of our ritual. It is too full of 
healthful advice and sound admonition to re- 
main in the unknown and hidden. It should be 
a part of every Odd Fellow's life in Odd Fellow- 
ship. It is as follows: 

"Should you, at any time, propose a friend 
to become a member of this Order, sec that he be 
such a man as will be likely to conform to the 
rules and precepts of Odd Fclloirship; for 



The Subordinate Lodge . 87 

nothing is so painful to the feelings of faithful 
Odd Fellows, as to see the requirements of the 
institution trampled upon and profaned" 

One in commenting upon this has said. 
"This charge will leave its lasting impressions 
upon the mind, and no Odd Fellow, receiving it 
in a formative moment, could conscientiously be 
instrumental in bringing an unworthy or im- 
proper person in the Order. It is easier to guard 
the doors than it is to rid a lodge of the effects 
of a member who transgresses its sacred prin- 
ciples. And when once he is enrolled he has his 
influence upon both those within and those with- 
out its halls. It is a lamentable fact — one that 
lias required more excellency in the Order and 
more virtue in the members to overcome its in- 
fluence than any organized opposition — that 
men with everything antagonistic to our princi- 
ples and requirements — bad, corrupt, dishonest 
men — have been introduced among us. The 
thing for Odd Fellowship to do is to consider 
well whom we allow to tread our halls before 
tbey have any claim upon us as brothers. The 
door should be guarded and that well. The rem- 
edy is easy if applied at the right place and time, 
feu no one can become a member without being 
recommended by two brothers in good standing 
in the lodge. They indicate that in their opinions 
the candidate is an acceptable person for mem- 
bership. Here let the door be closed. Let no 
one recommend any one who is a scoffer, bigot. 



88 The Beacon TAght 

drunkard, gambler, liar, sensualist, miser, slan- 
derer, abandoner of wives and children, or a hard 
man with his fellows any more than he .would 
recommend a thief or murderer to be admitted 
into a lodge of Odd Fellows. Such an one can 
nt-ver become an Odd Fellow, it matters not horw 
much he is instructed. No one has a claim 
on the lodge to be received in simply because he 
t<as been a friend of the Order or has friends in 
(lie Order. Treat man on the basis of manhood." 
After the institution, What? Let me answer 
—see to it that your lodge has a healthful growth 
and that only the right kind of nam are received 
into the order ,bul see to it that the right kind 
(ire When such a one knocks for admission see to 
it that he receives full value for his trouble and 
fees — value in having the lessons well presented 
and the fellowship of the highest and noblest 
kind. This is every Subordinate Lodge's duty to 
itself and to the Order. 



The Initiation 
A person desiring to become a member of 
the Independent Order of Odd FelloAVS must 
sign a petition stating his age, residence and 
business, and with the petition send his initia- 
tory fee (which is usually from five to ten dol- 
lars — differing even in the same jurisdiction) to 
the secretary of the lodge. This petition must 
be endorsed by one, usually two or more mem- 
bers of the order in good standing. The applied 



The Subordinate Lodge 89 

tion is received, record made of its reception and 
a committee of investigation raised to look into 
the truthfulness of what is set forth in the peti- 
tion and whether the applicant is a desirable per- 
son. If so they report favorably and if not they 
report unfavorably. The lodge will then dispose 
of the application and if elected the applicant- is 
entitled to receive the instructions of the Initia- 
tory degree at the earliest opportunity. 

Now, the great problem is to get the candi- 
date in the right frame of mind to receive the les- 
sons about to be taught. lie should think and 
think well upon the step he is about to take. Soon 
he is to receive what has never before been com- 
municated to him, and under peculiar conditions. 
New duties will be taught him and new lessons 
will be inculcated throughout the process in the 
different stages of advancement. If he is atten- 
tive and true to himself he will be morally and 
spiritually better and consequently happier when 
all the teachings are given him. Now is his hour 
for meditation. It rests with liim to fit himself 
— his mind — for this undertaking and make pos- 
sible reverent attention to the instructions he is 
about to receive. Here truth and wisdom, sitting 
on their respective thrones assert their mild do- 
minion, and with persuasive voices, urge obedi- 
ence such as is respected by the wise, virtuous 
and the pure. They are to teach him the eternal 
truths concerning his duty to his God, to his 
neighbor, to his family and to himself. Thev are 



90 The Beacon Light 

to show him how to possess the highest wealth of 
moral life and outline to him that the life of per- 
fect enjoyment is only possible in a peaceful and 
contented mind. He will see through their eyes 
that vice is a hideous monster of frightful mien 
in whom no safety lies, and that the truest, sub- 
limest pleasures are found in obedience to the 
will and revelations of the Divine mind, and in 
this obedience are manifold blessings both in 
this life and in death and these shade into the 
eternal. Well need he pause and meditate long 
upon the importance of this hour. 

If we were to study the methods of instruc- 
tion of all the aucient orders, such as the 
"Egyptian Mysteries," the "Eleusinian Myster- 
ies," and many others, we would find all lead to 
the following conclusion : "It teas a leading char- 
acteristic of all the ancient rites, that then began 
in sorrow and (/loom, hat ended in light and joy; 
they were all calculated to remind men of their 
weakness, their ignorance, their helplessness, and 
their sinfulness of character; of the shortness and 
uncertainty of life, and of the ills of which flesh 
is heir to; of the punishment of guilt, the reward 
of virtue, and the arising of the just to life eter- 
nal and immortal In all, too* the mode of initi- 
ation was calculated to make a deep and lasting 
impression upon the mind of the candidate. For 
these purposes., striking exhibitions of the conse- 
quences of sin and the pleasures of virtue, were 
presented for consideration, in sudden and strik- 



The Subordinate Lodge 91 

iug contrast, and everything was designed to im- 
press the candidate with a living sense of what 
was thus represented." Thus it is in secret and 
before the initiated few that the most acceptable 
conditions can be obtained for the best and most 
lasting impressions. History lias proven the ef- 
fectiveness of this method. So let the candidate 
consider well his attitude of mind and heart for 
the open gateway is before him. He needs to be 
actuated by the noblest purposes, purest desires 
and highest aspirations. 

In this degree are the fundamentals of Odd 
Fellowship. It is the basis of all other degrees 
and hence is very important to the candidate. If 
he fails to get these teachings he fails to get the 
full beauty of the order itself. The lodge room 
must become a veritable small world to the can- 
didate or else all is lost. Upon this conception 
and only on this conception can the Basis of 
Odd Fellowship be taught. The world with all 
its divisions, contentions and allurements is shut 
out. We are taught that we must approach the 
shrine of Odd Fellowship free from any purpose 
of pecuniary kind or self, aggrandizement, but 
rather that we may learn how to be more helpful 
to humanity and to live better ourselves. In 
such a spirit the oue Primary Truth of Odd Fel- 
lowship can be imparted — this is the order's first 
business, so it is the threshold instruction and 
lesson. Without this primary truth Odd Fellow- 
ship would be like a house built upon the sand 



D- The Beacon Light 

without any foundation. When the rains and 
floods and storms came there would be a great 
fall. 

We must understand before this great Pri- 
mary Truth is set forth some preliminary truths 
need to be taught and the candidate must under- 
stand them to fully grasp the one great truth 
underlying the Order. The First Preliminary 
Truth is the limits of human power. At every 
step he is bound. The chains of his weakness are 
prepared and their links are entwined about him. 
He is a captive of a mighty foe, and tightly 
bound, he is led much against his will. He goes 
about in a deplorable condition, wandering with- 
out wisdom, though he does not know it. He 
thinks he has large acreage, but in all human 
achievement that acreage is small. He is hem- 
med in bv a narrow horizon. What can lie do? 
How far can he see? How much does he know? 
Ah, these are the questions, and finally he is 
forced to recognize his limits, how narrow they 
are and how very insignificant he really is in the 
great world and universe. Blind, bound, weak, 
ignorant, small, insignificant— these are the 
words that spell his world. 

The Second Preliminary Truth is the vanity 
of all earthly things — things material and tang 
ible. He sees the instability of all earthly 
things, wealth, honor, political power and dis- 
tinction. He sees the certainty of decay of 
earthly power and human greatness and the dis- 



The Subordinate Lodge 93 

figurement of all physical beauty. The evidences 
of death and decay surround him everywhere. 
Death is in the world, He stands beside the 
open grave and he sees the coffined, shrouded 
form laid away and hears the clods roll on the 
lid sending doleful echo back from death. Man 
is reminded that he, too, must soon pass away 
for "all that is born must die," and "the despoiler 
is among the works of the Almighty." Yet, the 
body, once the temple of a God-like image, will 
be left a mere silent monitor of what it kas been, 
as the leaves fall to the ground, as the rose in its 
beauty fades away, so will man in all his strength 
and beauty and pride and excellency fade away 
and be gathered to his fathers. 

The Third Preliminary Truth is the possibil- 
ity of immortality. One of the tenets of the or- 
der is a faith in the immortality of the soul. Just 
as the winter time strips the earth of all her 
beauty and Spring comes touching the hills and 
valleys with greenness, courting the birds into 
song and wooing everything back into life so 
might there be a power that brings life out of 
death because "in place of death there were life, 
beauty and joy." Surely the God who made the 
reviving Spring with all her beauty can make 
the soul of man to live even after the tomb. God 
is greater than all his works among the material 
things and his greater tasks are the invisible 
ones budding and blossoming and fruiting in the 
invisible world. 



94 The Beacon Light 

The Fourth Preliminary Truth is the care 
of God for the righteous. Wisdom pressed with 
the weight of years of experience, with wrinkled 
brow, furrowed cheeks, and with whitened locks 
caused by changing seasons, with trembling 
limbs, with dulled eyes and toothless mouth ap- 
pears to the Psalmist and lie says, "I have been 
young but now am old, yet have I not seen the 
righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." 
lie who looks after the fowls of the air and feed- 
eth them — he who clothes the lily of the fields in 
beautiful garments will surely take care of that 
which is the highest creation of his hands. Wis- 
dom declares to the world that a life governed 
by righteousness will enjoy the protection and 
care of the Eternal and such an one will have all 
his needs supplied out of God's un wasting full- 
ness. This truth must be taught before the Pri- 
mary Truth can be understood. 

The Fifth Preliminary Truth is the necessity 
of warring against all forms of vice. There is no 
form of vice, no matter how genteel and becom- 
ingly garbed, but that it is a destroyer of human 
happiness. Deception is all around us. Men arc 
not always what they seem. "Under the guise of 
a friend he may extend the right hand but with 
the other plunge his dagger to the heart, or, 
•Judas like, he may sell his host friend for a few 
silver coins and betray him with a kiss. Jael. 
the wife of Heber, the Kenite, invited Sisera, the 
mighty general of the army of the King of 



The Subordinate Lodge 1)5 

Hazor into her tent. He asked for water, she 
gave him milk. She brought forth butter in a 
lordly dish; she put her hand to the nail and her* 
right hand to the workman's hammer, and with 
the hammer she smote Si sera. Such was the 
conduct of Joab, the captain of the hosts of Is- 
rael under David when he took Amasa by the 
beard under the pretense of kissing him, but in- 
stead he plunged his sword into him at the fifth 
rib. Such was the act of Brutus on that Ides of 
March when with his lips he shouted Caesar's 
praises and flattered him, but with his hand he 
plunged a dagger into his trusting friend's 
breast until Caesar said, 'and thou Brutus/ The 
garb of deception may so completely envelope 
many that the real character will be hidden from 
view and they become veritable wolves in sheep's 
clothing. Men may have an unseemly exterior, 
but a good true heart within, a heart in perfect 
sympathy with others' woes. Appearance is 
nothing, but character, soul, true manhood is 
everything. What a sublime lesson to learn, 
and the sooner the world learns and acts ac- 
cordingly, the better it is." 

Xo one can stand aloof from the struggle 
against vice simply because he is strong enough 
to defend himself, but he must Avar against vice 
for his neighbor's sake, who is not as strong as 
he is, for "friendship toward man prompts the 
contest, the gentle influence of love supplies 
the weapons and truth consecrates the efforts 



96 The Beacon Light 

and leads to victory." The battle is on for the 
sake of the life Ave live and for the relations we 
hold to our fellows. Evil is "the bane of all so- 
ciety, the fountain of all wrong, the progenitor 
of crime, hatred, arid violence." Therefore if he 
is a true brother to his fellows he must protect 
them. 

These five preliminary truths lead us to the 
Primary Truth which is the "Fatherhood of God 
and the Brotherhood of men." This is the basis 
of all true fraternalism — of Odd Fellowship. 
This lesson is the lesson of the first step into 
fraternity. 



The Emblems of the Initiatory Degree 

Since the beginning of time emblems have 
been used to teach great lessons and especially 
are they employed to convey truth to the inquirer 
or to the student when untrained in the art of 
profound reasoning. We assiduously cling to 
this method in child study. We are all much 
given to being like the child in the sight of the 
Omnipotent Father. There are four emblems to 
this degree and they teach much concerning the 
preliminary truths already set forth with a few 
more pungent teachings that should help us to 
regulate our conduct and shapen our characters 
in harmony with the great Father of us all. 

The first emblem is "The .1 ll-Seeing Eye" or 






e 







The Subordinate Lodge 97 

the emblem of Omniscience, and we are reminded 
that the All-Seeing eye of God is ever npon ns. 
Poor human kind, full of errors, are prone to 
think that they can escape detection aud can hide 
their evil doings or irregular course of conduct 
and in this delusion they are led on into deeper 
crime until the flood of their iniquity carries 
them out into the sea of destruction. 'Tis true 
Ave may be untrue and false in heart and yet hide 
it from men and be honored and respected by 
them, but God's gaze penetrates the densest dark- 
ness that is around the human heart and he 
knows all. The day and the night are the same 
to Him. Yes, we are a secret order, the world is 
shut out and we do have our secrets from the 
masses of men, yet we need to remember God 
sees and knows all that takes place in and out of 
the lodge hall. That eye enveloped in the blaze 
of light and glory reminds us of the grandeur 
and the sublimity of the Omniscient God who un- 
veils every secret of the heart.* On entering or 
leaving a lodge room we should remember that 
God never slumbers or sleeps and thus we should 
be strong in our integrity and steadfast in all 
right living. 

Hagar, the Egyptian slave of Sarai, was 
given to Abraham for wife. When elevated to 
this position she was haughty and despised Sarai. 
Sarai was hard upon her slave and Hagar ran 
away. God finds her by a fountain fleeing from 
the face of duty and asks, "Whither wilt thou 



1)8 r lhe Beacon Light 

go?" God commanded her to return, face her 
difficulties and do her duty. God gave her won- 
derful promises concerning Ishmael. So im- 
pressed was she with God's dealings with her she 
said, "Thou God seest me." Again after Ishmael 
was born to Abraham, Hagar, the servant of 
Sarai, was sent away with her son by the patri- 
arch who gave her bread and a bottle of water. 
Soon the bread and water were gone. Nothing 
save death was before them. In the extremity 
Hagar took the lad, laid him down, imprinted a 
maternal kiss on his cheek and withdrew far 
away, saying, "Let me not see the death of the 
child." In a state of exhaustion she sees a visiou 
of a well, and rising, procures water and saves 
the child. Her God had delivered her and the 
child. Again Hagar realized "Thou God seest 
me." This exclamation of Hagar's probably gave 
rise to this emblem in this degree. As Odd Fel- 
lows we should remember these impressive 
words, "Thou God seest me," and so regulate our 
conduct that we will not fear the scrutinizing 
eye of any one because we live right for right's 
sake. 

The second emblem is the emblem of Friend- 
ship, Love and Truth — The Three Links — the 
motto of our beloved Order. As we learned from 
the lips of wisdom that "the best safeguard 
against the ills of life will be found in the prac- 
tice of Friendship, Love and Truth," we must 
not forget it. It represents the all-encircling 



The Subordinate Lodge 99 

chain of sympathy that unites us as one in our 
aims, hopes, desires, labors and abundant . re- 
wards, and reminds us that we are bound to- 
gether for our own and each other's welfare. 
Thus we go forth to accomplish together what a 
multitude of men could not do singly and alone. 
We are anchored by Ms chain to our covenant 
and by it bound into a most perfect union. The 
triple chain cannot be broken. It is stronger than 
men and angels and devils. God alone is stronger 
than the three things for which the three links 
stand. If this motto were universally practiced 
it would do away with "alj the ills that human 
flesh is heir to" and men would dwell together in 
perfect happiness that would rival the Elysian 
shores. These three principles represent the three 
great pillars upon which the superstructure of 
Odd Fellowship rests. This is a strong and endu- 
ring foundation, not like sandstone for that will 
crumble and decay, not like marble for that will 
be marred and defaced, but like the hardest of 
granite which will endure the test of ages and 
yet remain in its perfectness. 

The third emblem is the emblem of mortal- 
ity, and is represented by the Skull and Crossed 
Bones. It was a decree that came after the Fall 
of Man and the breath of the Almighty did whis- 
per "dust thou art and to dust thou shalt re- 
turn." This is continually falling upon our ears. 
What is life? "A vapor that appeareth for a time 
and then vanisheth away." We tremble yet we 

LOFCu 



100 The Beacon Light 

await the hour. Where are the great hosts of 
men who peopled the earth in the yesterdays and 
walked as we do now? They sleep in the dust 
and are gathered to their fathers. The emblem 
reminds us of lifeless forms, open graves, 
shrouded figures, funeral strains, long proces- 
sions, and the solemn words "dust to dust, ashes 
to ashes, earth to earth," and when we look 
upon bleached bones we seem to hear them say 
to us, "As I am now, so you shall be." Who 
can hear such lessons from such a teacher and 
not feel the solemnity of the hour? What an 
exhortation this is for us to get ready for death 
and to "Prepare to meet thy God." The wise 
man makes preparation for- the inevitable be- 
fore it comes, so that at the hour of death he is 
ready. But another lesson is given us, import- 
ant as the first, and that is when death comes 
in at the door of our neighbor's house and lays 
his withering hand on an inmate Ave must give 
him a respectable burial, for to the dead Ave OAve 
a tribute of respect peculiarly delicate and pro- 
found. We are to tenderly carry them away 
from the hearthstone to the tomb. When Jacob 
was about to die he called his children about 
him and asked to be buried in the family tomb, 
though he Avas in distant, Egypt dying. Joseph 
had his body embalmed and borne away to the 
honored cave of Machpelah to lie beside- Abra- 
ham, Sarah, Isaac Rebekah and Leah. And 
when Joseph was about to die in this same dis- 



The Subordinate Lodge 101 

tant land, under a strong conviction that God 
would lead Israel out of bondage and give them 
the land of Canaan as- an inheritance, he 
"made mention of the departure of the children 
of Israel, and gave commandment concerning 
his bones/ 1 When Israel was ready for the exo- 
dus they took the remains of Joseph with them 
and most sacredly guarded them, and buried 
them in the Promised Land. Yes, we continu- 
ally hear the bells of time ring out in doleful 
tones, "Mortality, Mortality, Mortality of 
Man." 

The fourth emblem is The Scythe, and is 
the symbol of the end of earthly things. How 
frail material tilings are. They come and go as 
if in a night. This is the common lot of man. 
As like the grass before the scythe so man and 
all earthly things before time. The grass in the 
springtime, puts forth its tender blade, easily 
broken and destroyed, but if left alone and fa- 
vored, as the seasons roll on grows and develops 
into a strong, matured stalk of its kind. Thus 
it is ready for the mower and the ingathering. 
80 man comes forth, at first easily injured and 
destroyed, but if properly cared for and trained 
he will mature to manhood and meet the re- 
sponsibilities of life. After the hair becomes 
white, the erect form becomes bent, the steady 
hand palsied, the smooth brow furrowed, the 
firm step feeble and halting, then he is ready for 
the scythe of time to garner him in to the gran- 



102 The Beacon Light 

ary of heaven. How quickly the seasons pass. 
How short is human life. Spring, Hummer and 
Autumn chase each other as clouds in a sum- 
mer sky. and then Winter is here. When the old 
patriarch, Jacob went into the presence of Pha- 
raoh leaning upon the arm of his son Joseph, 
the king being impressed with his venerable ap- 
pearance, asked him "Jacob, how old art thou?" 
and lie answered "The days of the years of my 
life are a hundred and thirty; few and evil have 
I lie days of the years of my life been, and have 
not attained unto the days of the years of my 
fathers in the days of their pilgrimage." Hoav 
tine it is that time is on its flight, and never 
tarries. Like the morning dew, or the rising fog 
under the penetrating rays of the morning's sun 
so is life. We cannot afford then to fix our affec- 
tions upon things of earth, but on the abiding 
things — the things of heaven, of God and the 
spiritual — such as never wither, die, or pass 
away. The eternal alone satisfies the heart of 
the image of God. 



The Degree of Friendship 

Formerly there were five degrees in Odd 
Fellowship. Now there are only three. The 
five degrees were "The White Degree, The Cov- 
enant Degree, The Royal Blue Degree, The De- 
gree of Remembrance and The Scarlet Degree." 
These five with all their beauty were thrown 



The Subordinate Lodge 103 

together, forming the three of the present work. 
Then there was no dramatization, but now the 
work is given in drama and it is best so. The 
Third Degree needs dramatization now, and 
doubtless will be soon. Some local lodges are 
now providing beautiful settings for the presen- 
tation of Truth. This present manner of confer- 
ring the degrees intensifies the interest of all. 
The First Degree is the Degree of Friend- 
ship. We find many examples of sublime caste 
of friendship in history. The story of Damon 
and Pythias never grows old, and whenever it 
is mentioned it draws, the admiration of the 
whole world, and intelligence bows at that holy 
shrine. It is no common virtue in man that 
causes him to offer his life for his friend. Like 
unto this was the sublime life of Tygranes, a 
prince of Armenia, who was taken prisoner by 
Cyrus the Great, When lie was called into the 
presence of the king and was asked by the king 
"What ransom do you offer for your life?" he 
replied "My possessions." Then he was asked. 
"What ransom for your wife?" "My life," was 
the prompt reply. Moved by the greatness of 
his character Cyrus the Great ordered both to 
be released and allowed to go their way unmo- 
lested under penalty of royal disfavor. Upon 
leaving the presence of Cyrus, Tygranes asked 
his wife for her opinion of the king. She replied 
"I did not see him." "Not see him, inquired the 
prince, "Not see him?" "No." replied his wife." 



104 The Beacon Light 

tk I was so taken up with gazing at him who of- 
fered His life for my ransom that I saw no one 
else." These two are only two of a large num- 
ber to be gleaned from profane writings. 

When we turn to Holy Writ Ave immediately 
find the case of David and Jonathan. No pen 
can picture the beauty here set forth. David, a 
humble shepherd lad. the youngest and the least 
honored of his father's household, without title 
or lands and only the honor of a single battle, 
and Jonathan, the son and heir of this powerful 
and mighty Hebrew king, loved each other unto 
sublime and true friendship. When they saw 
each other Ave read "The soul of Jonathan was 
knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved 
him as his own soul/' It Avas no common rela- 
tionship, not an acquaintanceship, but true 
friendship that existed between them, such as 
met the test of every kind and endured every 
strain that could be put upon it. A covenant is 
entered into betAveen them, pledging their feal- 
ty to each other because they loved each other. 
"To seal this coA*enant Jonathan stripped him- 
self of his clothing and his instruments of Avar 
and gave them to David. David Avas courageous 
and, ladened with the spoils of battle, became 
the people's idol, and because of the praise they 
bestoAved upon him stirred the serpent of jeal- 
ousy in the breast of the king. Saul, tilled with 
hate, determined to kill David. Jonathan warn- 
ed David of his danger and determined to stay 



The Subordinate Lodge 105 

the murderous attempt, if possible, so directing 
his friend what to do he went into the presence 
of his father, the king. He reasonel Avith the 
king and persuaded him until the king said, 'as 
the Lord liveth he shall not be slain,' and prom- 
ised to restore him to favor once more. So Da- 
vid was at peace with the king. Soon the evil 
spirit came to Saul again, and he hurled a jav- 
elin at David, seeking to smite him to the wall. 
David fled from d auger, escaping through the 
intriguing of his wife, Saul's daughter. Saul 
pursued him and he fled farther and finally he 
came to Jonathan and said, 'What have I 
done,' What is my iniquity?' and 'What is my 
sin before thy father, that he seeketh my life?' 
Jonathan denied David's interpretation of the 
condition of things because he (Jonathan) did 
not know anything about Saul's determination 
and treachery. "David sware, moreoved, and 
said, thy father certainly knoweth that I have 
found grace in thine eyes ; and he said 'let not 
Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved,' but 
truly as the Lord liveth and as my soul liveth 
there is but a step between me and death.' The 
result of this conference was that Jonathan 
pledged David to do as he desired and the plan 
concerning the absence of David from the New 
Moon feast, and his excuse for the absence were 
formulated and the results anticipated. David 
pleads that if Jonathan finds iniquity in him 
that Jonathan himself should kill him. Thev 



106 The Beacon Light 

went into the field and Jonathan said unto Da- 
vid before the Lord, <0 Lord God of Israel, 
when I have sounded my father about tomorrow 
any time, or the third day, and, behold, if there 
be good toward David, and I then send not unto 
thee and show it thee, the Lord do so and much 
more to Jonathan; but if it please my father to 
do thee evil, then I will show it thee and send 
thee away, that thou niayest go i n peace; and 
(he Lord be with thee, as he hath been with my 
father. And thou shalt not only while I yet live 
show me the kindness of the Lord, that I die not 
hut also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness 
from my house forever;- no, not when the Lord 
hath rut off the enemies of David every one from 
the face of the earth/ 80 Jonathan made a cov- 
enant with the house of David, saving, 'Let the 
Lord even require it at the hand of David's ene- 
mies.' After Jonathan had caused David to re- 
peat the oath and covenant he said, 'Tomorrow 
is the New Moon, and thou shalt be missed be- 
cause thy seat will be empty. And when thou 
. hast stayed three days then thou shalt go down 
quickly, and come to the place where thou didst 
hide thyself when the business was in hand and 
shalt remain by the stone Ezel. And I will shoot 
three arrows by the side thereof, as though 1 
shot at a mark. And behold I will send a lad 
saying <Go, find out the arrows/ If I expressly 
say unto the lad, 'Behold the arrows are on this 
side of thee, take them/ then come thou for 



The Subordinate Lodge 107 

there is peace to thee, and no hurt, as the Lord 
liveth. But if I say this unto the young man. 
'Behold, the arrows are beyond thee/ go thy 
way, for the Lord has sent thee away. And as 
touching the matter which thou and I have spo- 
ken of, behold, the Lord be between thee and me 
forever. 1 David hid himself according to the 
plan. The feast began and David's place was 
empty. Saul was silent, but thought concerning 
David, 'Something has befallen him, he is not 
clean, surely he is not clean.' On the morrow 
the place was vacant again. Saul said unto 
Jonathan;, 'Wherefore cometh not the son of 
Jesse to meat, neither yesterday nor today?' 
Jonathan answered, 'David earnestly asked 
leave of me to go to Bethlehem, and he said : 
'Let me go, I pray thee, for our family hath a 
sacrifice in the city, and my brother hath com- 
manded me to be there, and now if I have found 
favor in thine eyes let me get away, I pray you, 
and see my brethren.' Therefore he cometh not 
to the king's table. Then Saul was angry with 
Jonathan, and said, 'Thou son of the perverse, 
rebellious woman, do I not know that thou hast 
chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, 
and unto the confusion of thy mother's naked- 
ness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon 
the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor 
thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch 
him unto me, for he shall surely die.' When 
Jonathan protested and said, 'Wherefore shall 



108 The Beacon IAght 

be be slain, what hath lie done?' the king cast 
bis javelin at him to slay him, so Jonathan arose 
from the table in tierce anger, and ate no more 
meat that day." 

On the morning of the third day of the 
{'east, Johnathan went out into the field at the 
agreed time, accompanied by a little lad. He took 
the bow and arrow from the lad and said to him 
'/Run, find out now the arrows which I shoot. " 
Jonathan shot the arrows beyond the running 
lad, and said, "Is not the arrow beyond thee, 
make speed, haste, stay not." When the lad had 
gathered the arrows and had been sent back to 
the city with them, David and Jonathan met, 
embraced and renewed their covenant. Jona- 
than said to David, "Go in peace, for as much as 
Ave have sworn, both of us, in the name of the 
Lord, saying, 'the Lord be between me and thee, 
and between my seed and thy seed forever/ " 
David departed. Time and again did these tAvo 
friends meet and renew their vow and covenant 
of friendship. When Jonathan Avas slain Da- 
vid's heart Avas moved, lie wept and said, "Oh, 
Jonathan, thou wast slain in thy high place 1 ! I 
am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan, 
very pleasing hast thou been unto me; thy loA^e 
to me was wonderful, passing the lore of wom- 
an/' This love did Surpass the love of woman, 
for it av«is the love of friendship, such as is per- 
fectly pure, disinterested and holy. It was not 
a passion, hot a deep and abiding principle full 



The Subordinate Lodge 109 

of sincerity and truth. Never could such a 
friendship die, even if death did come to one. 
David proved his devotion by his conduct to 
Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, and to his ser- 
vant, Ziba. How sublime in its sweep is such a 
friendship, how insurmountable in its heights, 
and how God-like in its attainments. 

This friendship between David and Jona- 
than was of the right kind, and is worthy of 
emulation by ns all. So very few really know 
what true friendship is, and to such it means 
very little. Any other word portraying the 
lighter and more selfish relations of humanity 
would indeed express the meaning infinitely 
better. One has said, "Commerce, merchandise, 
business, profit and loss, net gains, pleasure, 
self -gratification would express plainly the pha- 
ses of such peoples 1 thoughts. They have no idea 
of that which would gladly express itself in sac- 
rifice, self-denial and self-abnegation. The ele- 
ments which make such a relationship as existed 
between David and Jonathan are inconceivable 
to them. They lack the capacity for. such con- 
ception.-' It is a rare conception of friendship 
that is entertained by men. Only the rarest of 
souls are capable of the highest in everything, 
and that likewise in feelings to each other. It is 
a high boon from the hand of God to be permit- 
ted to respond to a great friendship. He who 
has such a privilege is twice blessed, blessed in 
receiving such devotion of an immortal spirit, 



110 The Beacon Light 

and of rendering the same to another. Friend- 
ship is not a mere confession, but a grand prin- 
ciple of life, and when nourished by man to man 
it is tenderly pleasing to Almighty" God and rev- 
erently admitted by our fellow men. It is the 
sacred fruit of hallowed relationship among 
men. It is not a mean, sickly and pretentious 
thing whose chief and native element is selfish- 
ness. It is not an undefinable generality that is 
played upon for selfish gain. It is a strong prin- 
ciple, evidenced in the close attachment that is 
perfected through adversity. We are lead to do 
lor a brother as we would have him do unto us 
When we hear of destitution it is friendship 
that prompts the action to feed the hungry and 
clothe the naked. In the chambers of misfortune 
and affliction men wait to minister, not from the 
sense of duty, but from principle, which should 
continually abide in the heart of of man. 

Watching by the couch of pain 
Till the light of day shall wane; 
Till the evening star is high, 
Silent, wakeful vigils keeping. 

Till the midnight shadows fly. 
On the restless sufferer sleeping. 
Friendship does not demand the easy things 
but the difficult tasks of life. It is not a plant 
that only grows in the sunshine and amid the 
most favorable material conditions. That which 
waits for the glow, hue and coloring of circum- 



The Subordinate Lodge 111 

stances and environments is not friendship. But 
that is friendship which is passionately, eagerly 
and unrestrainedly given, and stands the test 
when the storms break with fierceness and ap- 
palling acclaim overhead, when the oppression 
is suffocating and the outlook is darkest and 
most hopeless, yea, even in the face of the most 
direful adversity — that which is given under 
such conditions is Friendship! Moses stands 
just such a character. What a monument of 
friendship he is ! When his people Avere enslaved 
he gladly gave himself to liberate them from the 
bondage of Egypt. How willingly he surrend- 
ered every earthly advantage and ease to fur- 
ther the purposes of freedom and the rights of 
this despised people. He exchanged the Egyp- 
tian purple and the rich viands of a, king's table 
for the Israelitish sheepskin and the milk of 
goats. Instead of the scepter of Pharoah he took 
a shepherd's crook. The forty years of luxury 
and the glitter and glare of power gave him the 
hunger for the simple and sincere life and the 
rights of his own people to be men after the free- 
dom of this life. 



The Emblems of the First Degree 

The first emblem, The Bow and Arrows, is 
an emblem of Preparation, and a declaration of 
readiness to help in time of need. These instru- 
ments were ancient weapons of the battle field 



112 The Beacon JAght 

and of the chase. Nimrod, Esau and other 
mighty men of the field often returned ladened 
with the spoil of the hunt, slain by the bow and 
arrow. Also the mighty warrior went forth to 
battle to sing the song of the bow and to bring 
back the spoil of victory over an enemy. Jona- 
than used these as he fought against the Philis- 
tines and the other enemies of Israel. Yes, our 
thoughts are clustered around the bow and ar- 
rows in defense of cities and in the obtaining of 
the possession of new territory, but more ten- 
derly around one that stands out more promi- 
nently than all others. It is, that with these in- 
struments Jonathan sends the message of undy- 
ing affection unto David, who was to be a fugi- 
tive from Hie avenging hand of Saul, the king 
and father of Jonathan. It was with the hun- 
ter's bow and arrow, that Jonathan sent the mes- 
sage of love to David and these he sent back to 
the city by the lad. but it was his own trusted 
Bow and Arrows of battle that he gave to David 
as he sent him on with the benediction, "Go thy 
way, for the Lord hath sent thee away." In 
after years to David this emblem was the echo 
from another world, the whispering of silent 
lips, speaking the heart of devotion and love and 
loyalty even unto death. But this is not all, for 
it has another message as endearing to us as 
that. 

This emblem admonishes us that we must 
be ready to lend aid in the hour of dire need. 




k 4 , 
V 



\jgf 



The Subordinate Lodge 113 

for it is laudable to deliver a brother from peril 
and care for his loved ones in such an hour as 
if they were one's own. The arrows have a very 
profound lesson also, such as we must not leave 
unmarked. It is the "necessity of pursuing our 
daily tasks and our pledged obligations in a di- 
rect and a positive way and as the marksman 
with unerring aim sends forth his arrow, so 
should we as marksmen in a higher and nobler 
sense send our arrows of deeds of kindness with 
sure result. We should never perform miscel- 
laneous, broadcast good offices, but so govern 
them as to render them the most serviceable at 
the proper time, place and circumstance. Then 
when we die, not savage like, our benevolences 
and kindnesses Avill be unto our lives as were 
the spices and embalming elements to the body, 
a sweet odor that remains when that which is 
material and mortal shall decay and fall to 
dust." 

The second emblem is The Quiver and 
stands for orderliness in our preparation for 
help. Even in plans for assisting the distressed 
when the quickest response must be made there 
is to be that generalship that will lend every- 
thing at its very best. Under no condition will 
haphazard hit or miss methods bring the fullest 
powers at the moments of greatest need or in the 
crises. "There is a place for everything and ev- 
erything in its place." He who does otherwise 
will find himself at a disadvantage and his possi- 



1U The Beacon Light 

bilities forbidden territory. This emblem brings 
a broader message than that. This symbol — 
reminds ns that our quiver of usefulness should 
ever be full of arrows of good deeds so that when 
the crisis arises we will be able to send forth the 
message of our loyalty. Tis true without the 
quiver the arrows would become bent and use- 
less or at least unreliable. So without a proper 
place for devotion's message — a spirit and soul, 
blameless and after the pattern of the perfect 
type — to encase them, the messages Ave send 
would be unfit, unreliable, questioned and most 
likely refused. The quiver must be right and 
the arrows true. 

The third emblem is The Bundle of Sticks. 
and signifies Strength in Union. This last les- 
son given by a dying father to his sons, has be- 
come ever precious to our beloved order. In 
Odd Fellowship, union is strength indeed. Man 
may be engaged in a good and worthy cause, yet 
there is no guarantee that he will be able to ac- 
complish the highest ideals alone. It will take 
the united effort of many to bring the best into 
reality. The single rod, separated from the 
others, may be without a flaw or blemish or 
weak place in it but it is easily broken by a 
child. Any rod weaker, less perfect, flawless, 
but bound to its fellows cannot be broken 
but it can endure the test of the greatest physic- 
al power. So it is with human effort. One man 



The .Subordinate Lodge 115 

>vho abounds in every purpose of benevolence 
may l)e hindered in his deeds of mercy by a trifle, 
but when banded with a company of kindred 
spirits the task is easily performed. Especially 
in deeds of mercy as visiting the sick, nursing 
the helpless, caring for the needy and burying 
the dead and giving those who are handicapped 
by circumstances a chance to find themselves it 
is imperative to have united effort. By such ac- 
tions and deeds is Odd Fellowship known, and 
so this is only a proclamation of the avowed pur- 
pose of the order itself. Let me quote the senti- 
ment of another who told of this emblem as fol- 
lows : 

"Disunion is what makes helpless the efforts 
of men. Uncertainty is the very evidence of 
weakness. These two will paralyze and make as 
naught the labors of a host of men. Join in non- 
divorcible wedlock unity and certainty and there 
is nothing that can stay the power of their off- 
springs. How tall is their achievement. How 
sweeping they are in their sympathies. How un- 
pretentious in their benevolence. How God-like 
in their action. With a gentle knock they in- 
quire at the door of need. With noiseless tread 
they move in the presence of the sick. With ten- 
der touch they close the vacant windows of the 
dead. With sympathetic action they weep over 
Ihe departed. With gracious consideration they 
smooi.h the last resting place into a beautiful 
testimony of nature's powers. With benevolent 



116 The Beacon TAght 

remembrance they open the gate of activity to 
the bereaved ones. And with brotherly consid- 
eration they council and advise those left be- 
hind "' 



The Degree of Love 

The greatest power in this world is love. 
Ou> fathers in Odd Fellowship made this the 
central link in Odd Fellowship and they did well. 
It is the strongest link in the triple chain. One 
haft said that this degree includes nearly all of 
the work and teachings of the old third and 
fourth degrees, before the change from five to 
three degrees. It is very appropriately called 
the Degree of Brotherly Love and exemplifies 
that virtue and inculcates lessons of that char- 
acter. The first and greatest commandment to 
man is ,"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with 
all thy heart, and with all thy mind, and with all 
iijy soul and with all thy strength," and the sec- 
(i«d is like unto it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor 
as thyself." Tf Ave join with these two command- 
ments the injunction of the Lord given in his 
discourse upon the perfected law, "Love your 
enemies, bless them that curse you ; do good to 
them that hate you; and pray for them which 
despitefully use you and persecute you," then 
you have the very foundation and true basis of 
this degree. T know there is much opposition 
to rids philosophy, but human philosophy is not 
;is accurate as is the divine philosophy. I pre- 



The Subordinate Lodge 117 

fer the latter if the two disagree and I must 
make my choice. I feel safer ami will not need 
to change. 

Mutual aid is the second step in fraternity, 
and is fairly represented by this second link in 
Odd Fellowship. Hitherto we have mutual help 
pledged and a covenant entered into whereby 
one is to care for the interests and safety of an- 
other. Fraternity without this principle is an 
empty name and nothing more. The faith that 
moves the heart must develop into good works. 
What good are our words of sympathy and ef- 
forts toward comforting if we have nothing 
more than that. What profit is it if one hungry 
and cold eomes to our door and we say to him 
be clothed and fed, but give him nothing where- 
by he is warmed or fed? Words not backed by 
deeds are very emj)ty houses in which no good 
thing dwelleth. 

History has set forth the fact that there is 
no nationality or quarter of the globe destitute 
of this virtue of Brotherly Love. The mythology 
of Greece furnishes some instances and her his- 
tory tells the story of not a few among her brav- 
est warriors. Homer sings of the love of Achilles 
for another chief tan and through it the perfec- 
tion of his character. Dionysius of Syracuse 
witnessed this devotion in his court, much to his 
surprise, and plead to' become a partner of its 
passion. The Hebrew race seemed to be much 
charged with this virtue and here and there we 



118 The Beacon Light 

find the personifications of this excellency. We 
dare not sit under the Weeping Willow or the 
Juniper tree and lament the lack of Brotherly 
Love in the land, for it is everywhere doing its 
work at places being mountain high. 

Xo man is free from obligations to his fel- 
lowmen. He is in a big sense "his brothers 
keeper." The cry of the needy and distressed 
carries with it a responsibility to every living 
man within the compass of the cry, it matters 
not of what nationality, caste or environment. 
Listen to the assertion. Every man is our 
brother. He who has been made in the likeness 
of God and has the possibilities of immortality 
is my kinsman in the eyes of the Eternal and 
should be in my eyes. "From the cultured and 
refined Anglo-Saxon to the superstitious and de- 
graded Ethiopian; from the supercilious and 
crafty Asiatic to the cunning and restless Indian ; 
from the hoary headed warrior of Mohammedan- 
ism to the simple, Christ-like youths of Christen- 
dom the range of the law of Brotherly Love runs 
until unto all Ave practice the Golden Rule. 
'Whatsoever ye would that others should do un- 
to you, do ye even so to them/ Such actions on 
the behalf of men will speedily dispel the exist- 
ing clouds of contention and antagonism and es- 
tablish undissolubly the bonds of universal 
brotherhood. Love is the watchword to the 
higher life within. Xo man who disregards his 
relations with his fellowmen and neglects to ex- 



The Subordinate Lodge 119 

ercise the privilege of an affectionate regard for 
their happiness and welfare can ever reach the 
highest possibilities of his own life. He has 
failed to lay the foundations of an imposing 
structure, hence the building is a mere shanty 
compared to that which lie might have con- 
structed had he been obedient to the call of the 
highest. Love of principle is that which unites 
the different factions and' classes of men in one 
or more great parties and organizations. Well 
has the central link in the chain of Odd Fellow- 
ship been labelled Love, for it is the link of mu- 
tual assistance. For without Truth joined to 
Friendship by Brotherly Love, objectified by 
acts of mutual benediction, Odd Fellowship 
would disappear. This Degree is one of works, 
the exponent of love. When initiated into the 
Order the candidate- became one of a large fami- 
ly and this entitled him to its tenderest care and 
solicitous attention. When he received the in- 
structions of the Degree of Friendship he saw 
the basis of the beautiful relationship. Now 
to him the philosophy of his adoption is fully ex- 
plained. Henceforth he finds his field of labor 
enlarged and his mission pointed out. Why he 
lives is no longer a mystery. Ee lives to bless 
others. Having learned these lessons well he 
now asks how he is to be true to the visions that 
open up before him. He can no longer drift idly 
along in his own beautiful boat down the stream 
of time, simply enjoying the scenery and drink- 



120 The Beacon TAght 

ing in the freshness and sweetness of life. He 
must render service to Ms fellowmenj for it is his 
To 'meliorate the sorrows of mankind, 
Relieve the poor, the sick, the maim, the blind; 
Lift up the drooping heart; the widow cheer, 
And wipe away the helpless orphan's tear; 
To form of men one widespread brotherhood, 
Linked only in the bonds of doing good/ 

"So this cry is met in the instructions of the 
Degree of Brotherly Love, for here the candidate 
is taught how to render charitable aid and as- 
sistance to his fellowman and having learned the 
previous lessons well he is suited and well quali- 
fied for the Degree." 

What a vivid lesson was taught man when 
he was shown that confession was nothing in it- 
self. "Faith without works is dead." Every per- 
son must prove his creed by the life he lives and 
the fruit of his activity. The master teacher 
speaks and his words fall upon our ears like the 
voice of authority, "If a brother or sister be 
.taked and destitute of daily food, and one of 
yon say unto them, 'Depart in peace 1 / be ye 
warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give 
them not those things which are needful to the 
body; what doth it profit? It profieth nothing*." 
The Son of .Man while on earth taught this 
part of human life — mutual aid — by the story 
of the Good Samaritan. How beautifully this 
illustrates the necessity of doing good to our fel- 
lowmen. The story is familiar to all of us. In 



The Subordinate Lodge 121 

our minds we can see the Jew on his war from 
Jerusalem to Jericho, and passing through the 
narrow defiles, he is set upon by a band of rob- 
bers, who wound him, take all his valuables from 
him, strip him and leave him for dead. They 
thought he was dead and so they left him in his 
own blood on the roadside. Xo hand of pity was 
raised, no feeling of sympathy was shown. His 
wounds were bleeding and the life-flow was fast 
departing from him. Alone and helpless he lies, 
death is approaching with swift steps to claim 
him as his own. His pain is intense. Is there 
no hope for him? Surely some one will pass by 
and relieve him of his distress. Ah ! here comes 
a priest of the temple, one who serves in the most 
sacred place and is a servant of the Most High. 
Belief has most surely come and the unfortunate 
will be cared for by this man of holy service. 
The defile is narrow, so there is no possibility 
of his not seeing the dying fellow Jew. "Moans 
issue from the lips of the helpless man but the 
sacred functionary of the temple, hearing the 
groans and seeing the helpless estate of the 
dying man, passes by on the other side without 
stooping to pity or relieve." Heartless creature 
of the dust! How dare he pass on without ren- 
dering the needed assistance to the one in dis- 
tress? Must the robbed and wounded man die 
without one effort to save him? Hark! footsteps 
are again heard. Ah ! it is a Levite — a servant 
of the temple, one who assists at the religious 



122 The Beacon Light 

services. He will surely help. Look, he stops 
for he hears also the groans, he looks upon the 
poor man and he, too, without compassion and 
without pity, passes by on the other side. Will 
none help? Are all men heartless and unsym- 
pathetic in the hour of urgent need? Will no 
ray of hope be given this dying man? Hark! 
Again the stillness is broken, but this time by 
the clatter of the Ass's feet. Someone is com- 
ing, riding on his beast. He can give the aid if 
he will. Who comes here? Ah ! A hated Sa- 
maritan and an enemy of the chosen people — an 
enemy of the man that lies hurt unto death. He 
will not help one of the despised race. But he 
stops, he hears the groans of the suffering man, 
lie dismounts and finds the helpless on the road- 
side. Compassion sweeps his breast and he 
speaks, "He, too, is my brother/ 7 and, stooping 
over him, he "bound up his wounds, poured in 
oil and Avine, and set him on his own beast and 
brought him to an inn and took care of him." 
The night was spent in caring for him and nurs- 
ing him back to life, "and on the morrow when 
he departed he took out two pence and gave it 
to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him 
and when I come again I will repay thee.' " 
What a thrilling story of service needed, neg- 
lected and then performed by the most unlikely 
as far as earthly consideration is measured. 
What a lesson on Brotherly Love! Those from 
whom you would naturally expect aid and as- 



The Subordinate Lodge 123 

sistance because of sacred office, profession or 
ties of flesh and blood did not render them be- 
cause they were void of the principles of neigh- 
borliness. Neither office or profession niaketh 
the man. But there was one of a hated race, on 
whom no claim could be made either by office, 
profession or lineage, who broke over race preju- 
dices and false distinctions and showed his re- 
ligious life in genuine kindness which evidenced 
all that is beautiful, true and grand. Self, sel- 
fish hates and prejudices are consumed on the 
altar of humanity, goodness and mercy, and in 
the temple of common brotherhood alien races 
meet and offer to their common Father of all 
the tribute that becomes sonship. The man in 
need is the man who solicits our sympathy and 
to whom we gladly extend the hand of willing 
assistance. 

Well do we need to remember that condi- 
tions or accidents do not make the man. Wher- 
ever he is he can be a man, for he bears the image 
of the Eternal, for he is immortal. You say he 
is low? You say he is base and wholly unfit to 
occupy the place of worth and dignity? How- 
ever low he has fallen by passion or accident, 
however poor he may be through misfortune or 
lack of intellectual business forethought, yet he 
is not mere clay, he is the breath of the Infinite 
and he bears the marks of human equality — 
the image of God. It is man's high privilege to 
lift up his fellowmen, to "promote his happi- 



124 The Beacon Light 

ness, to relieve liis distress and to direct him in 
the ways of peace." "For he whom you help is 
none other than your own brother, beloved, and 
your own Father's son/ 7 We need to view the 
facts from their world-relations and consider 
how misfortune may make or unmake us and 
thus cast our lot among the loneliest of men. We 
need to see to it then that "his condition in life.' 
his confession of faith, his creed and national 
alliance have no weight with you as to your con- 
duct toward him for, 

'Honor and shame from no condition rise; 

Act well your part, there all the honor lies/ 
"When man will so live, then that long 
sought for and greatly desired communion with 
the Infinite, formerly enjoyed, will be restored 
in all its beauty and power, and the reign of 
every superior virtue, such as joy, love, peace 
and purity, will be perfected here on earth 
among men." 



Emblems of the Degree of Love 

The first is the Ax, the emblem of Progress. 
It signifies the implement of the pioneer 
who went forth from the heart of civiliza- 
tion in city, hamlet and thickly populated 
rural districts to the wilderness to hew out from 
the unknown a home and dwelling place, and 
establish there the highest privileges of life. It 
tells us of the story of hardship, yet determina- 



The Subordinate Lodge 125 

tion of the pioneer as he, with this weapon, en- 
ters into the unknown and bravely in untrodden 
and unexplored forests clears away the cluster- 
ing trees with masterful skill and prepares a vir- 
gin soil for the labor of tne husbandmen. This 
instrument of industry was used by him to fell 
the trees, hew out the logs and build the cabiri 
which was a defense to him from both the storms 
that played around his head and the wild beasts 
that lurk in the shadows to leap upon him and 
destroy him. In after days he looks with pride 
upon that with which he made himself an inheri- 
tance and won for himself the satisfaction that 
is the fruit of hard toil in changes wrought and 
progress made. So the divine ax of truth is to 
be applied with unwearied stroke upon the cum- 
bering trees and poisonous vines within us till 
our natures are made ready for good fruitage. 
How much within us must be cut down and 
grubbed out and burnt up before we are able to 
produce the bountiful harvests for which we 
were purposed! Every blinding prejudice and 
passion must go. Then at evening time we may 
be comforted in the chaDges wrought and the 
progress made- -such as betokens the purposes 
of God. 

The second emblem is the emblem of Sin- 
cerity and is represented by The Heart and Hand. 
What a wonderful symbol this one is! It in- 
spires every Odd Fellow to acts of mercy and 
deeds of kindness even to an exalted enthusiasm 



120 The Beacon Light 

and devotion. A more expressive symbol is sel- 
dom seen anywhere and none has impressed mi! 
more. We are here taught the lessons of can- 
dor and frankness. Whatsoever the hand finds 
to do, it is to be done with all one's might, for 
only when hand and heart are in unison can 
perfect charity or kindness be rendered. How 
delightful and full of joy are the tasks when the 
heart, flooded oceanfull of sympathy prompts the 
action. Our deeds of mercy are not to be done 
begrudgingly, but in the spirit of cheerfulness 
and wholeheartedness. Notice the emblem — the 
heart is in the hand. The Lord loveth a cheerful 
giver and not one who counts every feather on 
the eagle or every star on the flag. He who has* 
not learned the lesson, "That it is more blessed 
to give than receive" has not yet seen this em- 
blem in its beauty, neither does he understand 
its teachings. 

"During the famine in Russia that brought 
so great suffering to the poor, thousands of 
whom were reduced to the verge of starvation. 
Count Tolstoi made every effort in his power 
to better the condition of these unfortunates. 
One day while on one of his trips of benevolence 
the author passed a beggar on the street corner. 
Stretching out gaunt hands the miserable 
creature asked for alms. Count Tolstoi felt in 
all his pockets for a coin to give to him. He 
turned his pockets inside out, but there was 
nothing there. His money had long since been 



The Subordinate Lodge 127 

spent in charity and he was homeward bound 
with empty purse and pockets. Taking the beg- 
gar's hand in both of his, he said kindly : 'Do not 
be angry with me, brother; I have nothing with 
me.' The gaunt face lighted up; the man lifted 
his blood shot eyes; his blue lips parted in a 
smile and he said, 'But you called me brother — . 
that was a great gift.' Yes, the world is hungry 
— starving for real brotherly love and sym- 
pathy." 

The third emblem is the Globe and indicates 
the largeness of the field of labor Brotherly Love 
has for operation. Our labor is not confined 
within the narrow boundaries of our Lodge 
Boom, but its acreage covers the whole round 
world where humanity lives and looks up to the 
sky and to God. Our duty is not met neither is 
our work done till every tear be dried that flows 
down the cheek of the heartbroken and sorrow- 
stricken, and mankind basks in the sunshine of 
tenderest sympathy one for another, and all 
men are free. It does not matter from what 
part of the globe or from what nationality the 
cry comes, just so long as it is the cry of need 
it has a claim upon us and we must hear it. If 
the whole world were wrapped in a dark pall of 
superstition and ignorance that pall must needs 
he lifted by the enlightened and our work never 
ceases till that is done. The blessings of our 
age and civilization with the arts and sciences 
and the refining power of truth are to be enjoy- 



128 The I!raron Light 

ed and are to cover the entire world as the 
waters cover the sea. Yes, it is our mission to 
spread truth and righteousness everywhere to 
dispel the mists and fogs of sin that envelope 
the high and low places, until the blessings of 
civilization, the revelations and beauty of 
science and art have become the heritages of all 
men. 

k vLike a signboard to a distant city, so this 
emblem points us to the time when 'the coav and 
the bear shall feed and their young ones shall lie 
together, and the lion shall eat straw like the 
ox, the wolf, also, shall dwell with the lamb, and 
the leopard shall lie down with the kid and the 
calf and the young lion and the fatling shall be 
together, and a little child shall lead them.' " 

The fourth emblem is The Ark of the G6ve- 
ii <nit and stands for sacredness of established 
things. Moses was directed to make this Ark 
while he was in the mount, being given the meas- 
urements and full information as to its contents 
and where it should be kept. It contained "the 
sublimest instructions ever given to man. It 
was the receptacle of the pot of manna, Aaron's 
rod, that budded, and the two tables of stone 
containing the Decalogue. Here was inscribed 
man's duty toward God and toward his fellow- 
men, for the Law was to be the -guide of the chil- 
dren of Israel ; the pot of manna was to remind 
them of God's care in the wilderness; and the 
budded rod was to tell them of the settled priest- 




y 
h 



y '^^^,4 = •- ' 



The Subordinate Lodge 129 

hood. As the Jews carefully guarded the Ark 
to preserve their law, so should we be solicitous 
to preserve our laws aud principles, and ever 
hold them in reverence and respect." 

What lofty feeling must have coursed 
through the heart. and breast of the devout Jew 
as he looked upon this God-patterned receptacle, 
and as he saw the cherubims and the shechinah 
he doubtless felt the presence of God. Well do 
we need this same reverence for that which con- 
tains the very heart of God and he who meets 
the requirements of Brotherly Love has in him a 
sublime grandeur'. There is nothing so beautiful 
and noble and surpassingly pure as a stainless 
character — the gift of God, the covenant maker 
with men. 

The fifth emblem is the Serpent and stands 
for Chastisement from God. When the children 
of Israel murmured against God and against 
the management of the leader, Moses, after they 
had won a great victory at Mount Hor, because 
of the difficulties they encountered in the jour- 
ney, God was angry with them and permitted 
firey serpents to bite them. Many died and 
others were sick unto death. Israel saw this 
was a punishment sent upon them for their sin 
and tney cried unto the Lord for deliverance. 
Moses was directed to make a brazen serpent and 
put it on high and whoever looked upon it Ava^ 
healed. Thus it became an emblem of wisdom. 



130 The Beacon Light 

We are taught by this emblem the wisdom 
of patience, prudence and care. We are to try 
all things, prove all things and make sure that 
all things are right before we receive them into 
our lives. Thus we are admonished that we 
should be as Wise as serpents though as harmless 
as doves, for without wisdom we are helpless 
and at the mercy and wiles of the crafty, like a 
ship without a rudder at the caprice of the con- 
tending wind aiul waves. It teaches us not to 
suffer any one to deceive us, for all are not 
friends who claim to be. He who is avaricious, 
selfish, uncharitable is not thy brother. Keep 
from him thy deepest friendship and all thy se- 
crets, for he will injure thee if he can. 



The Degree of Truth 

We now pass to the last degree of the Sub 
ordinate Lodge. Well may we pause here 
awhile before we push forward. Great lessons 
have been taught to us as we have proceeded on 
our way up to this point. It would be Avell for the 
searcher after Truth to contemplate all of the 
past, and have the lessons sink deep into his 
heart. Then he is prepared to go on. Yes, there 
are great lessons to be learned yet before we are 
clothed in the kingly garments of this degree. 
Methinks that after Ave have passed through the 
portals of the temple of Truth and have sat at 
Wisdom's foot, we will bo ready to proclaim 



7 he Subordinate Lodge 131 

abroad that here are the sublimest lessons ever 
set for mortal to know. Listen to. the words of 
wisdom, for they have been spoken of Truth, the 
Imperial Virtue: "Truth has been symbolized 
by a beautiful virgin with majestic figure, fair 
complexion, golden hair and large blue eyes that 
possess a depth that indicates great penetrative 
power. She is dressed in the purest white, and 
upon her brow rests the coronet of grandeur. To 
gaze upon such a representation is to reverence 
and adore it. To see her in her power is to be- 
come her willing servant and the devotions of a 
consecrated life are poured as libations at her 
feet. Truth stands in her purity, exactness and 
superiority with anxiety to bless the world, her 
ruling impulse. There is no deceit about her. 
There are not two natures within her. She is 
what she is. There is no oil of asps under her 
tongue. Her voice is not heard in the brawl or 
in contentions. With the dignity of true worth 
she instructs the candidate, gives decrees and 
opens the gate to Wisdom's halls for him. She 
is candid and open in all her purposes, and the 
beauty of her pathway is formed by the flowers, 
the multiform tributes that spring from the 
blessings that she has bestowed by sowing them 
broadcast about her footpaths. Truth is not 
ashamed to be seen. She needs never hide her 
face on her own behalf or for what she has done. 
She is conscious of her own intrinsic worth, for 
nothing within her can be interpreted other than 



IS'2 The Beacon Light 

it is. The filth and dust of error will fall from 
the folds of her dress like the dust and darkness 
roll from the folds of nature's dress when the 
sun creeps up the misty mountain top and 
bursts in all his splendor upon a newly awaken- 
ed world smiling- at its oavu surprises and good 
fortune. There is no adhesion between Truth 
and that which defileth or bringeth the blush of 
shame. Truth has nothing to fear, for the mighty 
efforts of the centuries have been to break the 
bonds prejudice has put about humanity so that 
Truth cannot be seen, and to enthrone her for 

'Truth crashed to earth shall rise again; 

The eternal years of God are hers; 
Bat error, wounded, icrithes in pain, 
And dies among his worshipers/ 

We never need to tremble for the truth. 
It has a divinity and omnipotence all its own. 
It is allied to the eternal and to battle against 
it is to raise the arm against God, for 

"Get but the truth once uttered, and 'tis like, 
A star, new-born that drops into its place. 
And which, once circling in its placid round,. 
Not all the tumult of the earth can shake." 

What a sublime fact is before us. Once 
know Truth and you have a. perpetual friend 
that never fails you. Truth never changes; all 
else does or seems to. Truth never leaves its or- 
bit, but is in its place blessing and granting fa- 



The Subordinate Lodge 133 

vors to all that pass that way. Like some tall 
mountain peaks kissing the eternal sunshine, so 
Truth is tall, lofty and changeless forever. The 
*tate of man's reception of Truth is as various as 
the principles and subjects of natural creation. 
Truth can never contradict itself, but is eternal 
and immutable, the same in all ages." There- 
fore Truth becomes the property only of him who 
pursues her till he finds her and receives her 
troth. She is never found till betrothal is agree- 
able to both — to the searcher and to Truth — 
until both feel honored in the avowals of each 
other. Only what is real, actual, can be the 
age's bequeathment unto us. Error will crumble 
to the dust and be ridiculed by both philosophers 
and sages. Error will soon be forgotten, but not 
so Truth. It lives. "Wherever Truth has been 
it has left its traces. No amount of error can 
remove the impressions made. They are as dura- 
ble as the universe, The ages may pass forever 
into the tomb and then wait the requiem of de- 
cay, but the truth is the imperishable, undimin- 
ishable primogeniture estate to each succeeding 
generation, for 

'Like a vase in which roses have once oeen dis- 
tilled. 

You man oreak, you may shatter the rase if 
you will j 

But the scent of thp rose? will hun? around 
still/ » - 



134 The Beacon Light 

Truth is strangely imperial, cardinal and 
exacting. No other virtue is like it. So lofty 
in demand, Truth is like a king upon the throne 
of an absolute monarchy. "Other virtues have 
their degrees, but Truth admits of no degree. 
Friendship, love, fidelity, devotion, gentleness, 
goodness, kindness, patriotism; all have their 
degrees varying from the least to the greatest 
percentage. "There are some faults slight in the 
sight of love, some errors slight in the estimate 
of wisdom, but Truth forgives no insult and en- 
dures no stain/' Truth is kingly, imperial, and 
superior in every bearing of life. How grand it 
is that every Odd Fellow is required to prac- 
tice this imperial virtue in every vocation and 
attitude of life. Therefore it is the highest wis- 
dom on the part of every lofty soul to 

'Seize upon Truth where'er 'tis found — 

Among your friends, among your foes; 

On christian or on heathen ground. 

The flower's divine, where'er it grows. 

Neglect the prickles but assume the Rose."' 

The story that illustrates the power of truth 
best to my mind is of semi-biblical nature, and 
found in a scrap of Persian history. When Da- 
rius had come to his throne he made a feast to 
his subjects, unto his household and to the 
princes of Media and Persia, to the governors, 
captains and lieutenants from the provinces of 
India and Ethiopia, a hundred twenty and sev- 
en in all. After thev had feasted and retired for 



The Subordinate Lodge 135 

the night, and Darius was in his chamber asleep, 
three of his bodyguard spake one to another and 
said, "Let every one speak a sentence; he that 
shall overcome, and whose sentence shall seem 
wiser than the others, unto him shall king Da- 
rius give great gifts, and great things in token 
of victory, to be clothed in purple, to drink in 
gold, to sleep upon gold, and a chariot with bri- 
dles of gold and a head-tire of -fine linen, and a 
chain about his neck. Also he shall sit next to 
Darius, because of his wisdom, and shall call 
Darius his cousin." Thus it was agreed and 
done. One wrote "Wine is the strongest," ano- 
ther wrote "The King is the strongest," and the 
third wrote "Women are strongest, but above 
all Truth beareth away the victory." Now when 
the king was risen the writings were handed him 
and he read them. Then he called an assembly 
of all the guests, — princes, governors, captains, 
lieutenants and chief officers — and when they 
had come he sat down on his royal throne and 
called in the three young men and commanded 
them to declare their minds concerning the writ- 
ings. Then spake he who held that wine was the 
strongest, "Oh, ye men, how exceedingly strong 
is wine! It causeth all men to err who drink it, 
it maketh the mind of the king and the father- 
less child to be all one; of the bondman and of 
the free man ; of the poor man and of the rich ; 
it turneth also every thought into jollity and 
mirth, so that man remenibereth neither sorrow 



136 The Beacon TAght 

nor debt; and it maketli every heart rich, so that 
a man remembereth neither king nor governor; 
and it maketh to speak all things by talents. 
When they are in their cups they forget their 
love both to friends and brethren, and a little 
after draw out swords, but when they are from 
the wine they remember not what they have 
done. Oh ye men, is not wine the strongest, that 
enforceth to do thus?" 

Then the second, who had supported the 
strength of the king, began to speak, "Oh ye 
men, do not men excel in strength, that bear 
rule over sea and land, and all things in them? 
But yet the king is more mighty, for he is lord 
of all these things and hath dominion over them, 
and whatsoever he commandeth them they do. 
If he bid them make war against the other they 
do it; if he sends them out against the enemy 
they go, and break down mountains, walls and 
towers. They slay and are slain, and transgress 
not the king's commandment ; if they get the 
victory they bring all to the king, as well the 
spoil, as all things else. Likewise for those that 
are no soldiers, and have not to do with war, but 
use husbandry, when they have reaped again 
that which they had sown, they bring it to the 
king, and compel one another to pay tribute to 
the king. And jet he is but one man; if he com- 
mand to kill, they kill; if he command to spare, 
they spare; if he command to smite, they smite; 
if he command to make desolate, they make deso- 



Tlic Stibordinate Lodge 137 

late; if he command to build, they build. If lie 
command to cut down, they cut down; if lie 
command to plant, they plant. So all his people 
aud all his armies obey him; furthermore, he 
lieth down, he eateth and drinketh, and takest 
his rest and these keep watch around about him, 
neither may any one depart and do his own bus- 
iness, neither disobey him in anything. Oh ye 
men, how should not the king be the mightiest, 
when in such sort he is obeyed?" 

Then the third, who had advocated the super- 
iority of Avoman and truth began to speak, * 4 Oh 
ye men, it is not the great king, nor the multitude 
of men, neither is it wine that excelleth. Who is 
it then that ruleth them, or hath the lordship 
over them? Are they not women? Woman hath 
borne the king and all the people that bear rule 
by sea and land. Even of them came they; and 
they nourish them up that planted, the vineyards 
from whence the wine cometh. These also make 
garments for men, these bring glory unto men, 
and without women cannot men be. Yea,, and if 
men have gathered together gold and silver, or 
any other goodly thing, do they not love a woman 
which is comely in favour and beauty? And 
letting all these things go, do they gape, even 
with open mouth fix their eyes fast on her; and 
have not all men more desire unto her than 
unto silver and gold, or any goodly thing what- 
soever? A man lea vet h his own father that 
brought him up, and his own country, and clear- 



J 38 The Beacon Light 

etli unto his wife. He sticketh not to spend, his 
life with his wife, and remembereth neither 
father, nor mother, nor country. By this also ye 
must know that woman hath dominion over 
you; do you not labor and toil, and give and 
bring all to the woman? Yea, a man taketh his 
sword and goeth his way to rob and steal, to sail 
upon sea and upon river; and looketh upon a 
lion and goeth in the darkness; and when he 
hath stolen, spoiled and robbed, he bringeth it 
to his love. Wherefore a man loveth his wife 
better than father or mother. Yea, many there 
be that have run out of their wits for women, 
and become servants for their sakes. Many have 
also perished, have erred and sinned for Avomen. 
And now do you believe me? Is not the king 
great in his power? Do not all regions fear to 
touch him? Yet did I see him and Apame, the 
king's concubine, the daughter of xldmirable 
Bartacus, sitting at the right hand of the king, 
taking the crown from the king's head and set- 
ting it upon her own head; she also struck the 
king with her left hand. And yet for all this the 
king gaped and gazed upon her with open mouth 
and if she laughed upon him he laughed also; 
but if she took any displeasure at him, the king 
was fain to flatter, that she might be reconciled 
to him again. Oh ye men, how can it be but 
women should be strong, seeing they do thus?" 
Then pausing for a moment, he proceeded, "Oh 
ye men, are not women strong? Great is the 



The Subordinate Lodge 139 

earth, high is the heaven, swift is the sun in his 
course, for he compasses the heavens around 
about, and fetcheth his course again in his own 
place in a day. Is lie not great that maketh these 
things? Therefore great is Truth, and stronger 
than all things. All the earth called upon the 
truth, and the heaven blessed it,all works shake 
and tremble at it, and with it is no unrighteous 
thing. The wine is wicked, the king is wicked, 
Avomen are wicked, all the children of men are 
wicked, and such are all their wicked works; 
and there is no truth in them ; in their unright- 
eousness they shall perish. As for Truth, it en- 
dureth, and is always strong. It liveth and con- 
quereth forever more. With her there is no ac- 
cepting of persons or reward; but she doeth the 
things that are just, and reframeth from all un- 
just and wicked things. And all men do well like 
of her works. Neither in her judgment is any 
unrighteousness, and she is the strength, king- 
dom, power and majesty of the ages. Blessed be 
the God of Truth." 

Then the people shouted and no longer held 
their peace, and said "Great is Truth, and 
mighty above all things." And Truth was award- 
ed the superior place, and her advocate honored. 

At what a price we enter into the possession 
of Truth! She will often come a portionless 
bride.. I doubt not but that the joy of her pres- 
ence will overbalance the lack of an inheritance 
everv time. The true lover of Truth will wel- 



140 The Beacon Light 

come her wherever he comes up to her altar to 
worship. Truth is a commodity too rarely met 
with in this world of ours. We should be so uni- 
ted to truth that we would always have her and 
at the same time give her to all with whom Ave 
come in contact. We should so love her that we 
will obey and cherish her always. Truth is ev- 
erywhere, and only bids us recognize her and 
then she will come and dwell with us continu- 
ally. There is no need of a rejected suitor, for 
all can have her who will woo and wed her. 
Yes, Truth is everywhere. On the mountain 
daisy, among the daffodils, in the cowslip, with 
jack in the pulpit, nodding with the marigolds 
and dancing merrily with the primrose, Truth 
is inviting us to share her wisdom and her mys- 
teries. If we go with her we shall rule with her. 
As Odd Fellows we must be sincere Avorshipers 
of the truth. Then we shall be living in a realm 
above present things, and for the future. AVe 
shall stand firm in the midst of temptations and 
shall be free and bold before treachery. There 
may be tremendous storms bursting round us 
that tend to disquiet and cause confusion, yet 

"As sonic tall cliff', that lifts its awful form. 
Swells from flic vale, <iu<l midway leans the 

storm. 
Though round its brea»t the rolling clouds 

were spread. 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head." 



The Subordinate Lodge 141 

Emblems of the Degree of Truth 

Iu this degree we have four emblems. Their 
teachings are most profound, and taken together 
they necessarily make a strong impression for 
the best in man. When they are presented under 
the shadow of the temple of truth, their appeal 
for the noblest and purest. is unquestioned in its 
power and effectiveness. They all unfold an im- 
perishable truth that is immortal. 

The first emblem is represented by the uni- 
ted Scales and Bvsord, and stands for Eternal 
Justice executed. How can the mind free itself 
from such a lesson ?This emblem declares that 
justice and mercy shall be administered without 
partiality and without distinction. We are 
pointed to a time when all the frailties and bents 
of human passions are removed and all men and 
things must stand upon the basis of their exact 
value. No padding, pretense or veneer will stand 
the hour's scrutiny. Then "Justice and mercy 
shall meet together; righteousness and peace 
shall kiss each other;" and every motive leading 
to action, and every action itself will be correct- 
ly weighed in an exact balance, and every prin- 
ciple that is untrue or lends itself toward the 
questionable and base will be cut off and cast 
away. We are further reminded that the Eter- 
nal Judge requires us to weigh exactly and to 
judge justly; then defend the right even unto 



142 The Beacon Light 

the end of life, unto death. To the execution of 
this end the Sword is drawn and needs no scab- 
bard. Man must ever be ready to enforce justice 
and mercy. 

This emblem teaches us that whatever dis- 
tinctions there may be in the outside world, in 
Odd Fellowship there are to be no distinctions. 
Here the high and low, the rich and poor, the 
learned and unlearned, the honored and unsung, 
the favored and unfavored arc around one com- 
mon board, and the same measurement shall be 
required of them all, and all are brothers united 
and engaged in the passionate effort to promote 
benevolence, brotherly love and truth. No, there 
arc no subtle distinctions here. The basis of 
manhood is the same for all. 

The second emblem is the Holy Bible, and 
represents revealed truth. The Bible is the only 
source of enduring truth and of true wisdom. 
The psalmist sang well of the Book, kk A lamp to 
cur feet and a light to our path." It is the 
source of re-creative real and enduring truth — 
the spiritual truth. "For the things winch are 
seen are temporal; but the things which are not 
seen are eternal." The Bible is our text book 
and no lodge is complete or can be held without 
it. From its pages we gather our doctrines of 
faith and our rules of life and practice in all re- 
lations. It is the veritable fountain from whence 
the living waters of truth flow, and here the heal- 
ing portions ameliorate every affliction and every 




'■■ ■■■"'■ :-^ ■ • ■■■:>/,.• ^ ; S 



The Subordinate Lodge 143 

sorrow. The Bible contains wise council and ad- 
vice for every circumstance, condition and phase 
of life, and its never failing needle guides us with 
unerring distinctness across the wilderness of 
this evil world to the haven of rest. It bestows 
upon us precious promises which give comfort 
while we bear the burdens and endure the sor- 
rows of life, even in the heat of the day. It 
councils a life so that when death appears we 
shall know how to meet him and to vanquish 
him, for already the future life has been begun 
in us. We read "life and immortality have been 
brought to light" and the "valley of the shadow 
of death" has no terrors for "Thy rod and Thy 
staff they comfort me." Death has no victory- 
for he is no longer reigning tyrant but a con- 
quered servant. 

The third emblem is The Hour Glass and 
represents the Brevity of Life. How swift the 
moments, hours, years pass by. O Time, Thy 
flight is swift ! Thy wing is sure ! This emblem is 
constantly reminding us of the passing of life 
by its falling sands and that every breath we 
breathe is shortening life and bringing us nearer 
the inevitable end of all earthly joys. Yes, we 
are approaching with even tread the "bourne 
whence no traveler returns." Therefore we need 
to do with our might what our hands find to do, 
for soon the hands will lie across our breast and 
our eyes shall be dull and lips closed forever. 
"Time once passed never can be recalled." How 



]J4 The Beacon Light 

we need to be up and. doing for soon the oppor- 
tunity to do for ourselves, for others and for the 
glory of God will be forever passed and gone. 

Pause here for a moment for there is an- 
other lesson as important and as impressive 
as all that has been taught before by this em- 
blem. What a contrast between time and etern- 
ity! "Time. O how short thou art. Eternity, O 
how long thou art. One is quickly spent and is 
forever gone. The other is never gone but is for- 
ever and forever here. Well should we labor 
here below so that when the scenes are shifted 
from Time to Eternity we shall be familiar at 
least with the purposes and end of the Infinite so 
as to be acceptable to enjoy the eternity as one 
song. 

'Eternal things can stretch and shorten time 
At their imperial icill; from chime to chime 
Measures the limit of an hour, yet still 
The anguish of a soul can over-fill 
A century'* cup as the slow second* more. 
Or, throned toithin the heart, a rapturous lore 
With passionate and all-compelling power 
Can, by a touch, make of the self -same hour 
A single yearning moment, sirift to pass. 
Oh, Time! how important thy scythe and glass- 
Plaything thou art, though tyrant thou would'st 

be. 
For man's eternal soul makes sport of thee.' " 

The last emblem is The Coffin and repre- 
sents the Grave, the final resting place of our 



The Subordinate Lodge 145 

bodies. That inevitable hour has been held back 
so far, but soon the gathering waters will break 
all restraint and we will be borne away to our 
common destiny — the silent city of the dead. We 
will be among the shrouded millions and only 
our character and influence will remain on the 
stage of human action and these will be telling 
to what purpose we lived among men. Of the 
good man it is said "He being dead, yet speak- 
eth. v None of us wish to be remembered for our 
badness and prefer to be forgotten entirely than 
to be ridiculed by generations to come. Yes, we 
must die — "all that live must die.-' We need to 
sing often with the poet 

"So hue that when thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan that moves 
To that mysterious realm where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death — 
Thou go, not like the quarry slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon, but sustained and 

soothed- 
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams" 

Yes, soon will be said over us "Dust thou art 
and unto dust thou shalt return." We now wait 
that strange and marvelous hour that shall bring 
us face to face with the experience of a breaking 
dawn on eternity's shores. "The King on his 
throne and the subject at the wheel ; the mighty 



140 The Beacon Light 

general oil his steed and the soldiery doing his 
bidding; the millionaire with his castle, man- 
sions, cottages, broad acres and busy factories, 
and the beggar in his rags and poverty; the arid 
fool ; the philosopher ; the unsatisfied recluse and 
student; the oracle of wisdom in his seat of pow- 
er, the innocent, helpless child, all must bow to 
the inevitable and last end of humanity so that 
soon all will be numbered with the shrouded 
millions. 'All that live must die.' " 



The Evolution of the 
Grand Bodies 



The Evolution of the Grand Lodge 

The necessity for a Grand Lodge early evi- 
denced itself to the members in this country. 
When the first charter and dispensation came it 
was a grant to a Grand Lodge. Every one inter- 
ested in Odd Fellowship, both in England and 
America, recognized that some source must exist 
from which grants and privileges might be re- 
ceived if necessary, so the charter received Octo- 
ber 23d, 1820, read: "The Grand Lodge of Mary- 
land and of the United States," but this charter 
was delivered into the hands and keeping of an 
Independent Subordinate Lodge, "Washington 
Lodge No. 1, of Baltimore. 1 ' 

According to a custom established by the 
Order in England, Washington Lodge instituted 
in July, 1820, several months before the arrival 
of the dispensation from across the sea, a com- 
mittee of Past Grands, which committee served 
as a Legislative and Advisory Board. Although 
its action was not final, yet it rendered very valu- 
able service to the Order. Besides many minor 
matters this committee did two important things 
that marked its wisdom, greatness and indepen- 
dence. The first was the consideration of two 
additional degrees — the Covenant Degree and 
the Degree of Bemembrance — written by John 
Entwisle. This was heartily endorsed by the 

(149) 



150 The Beacon Light 

Committee and adopted by the lodge. The Cov- 
enant Degree was made 2nd Degree and the Re- 
membrance Degree was made the 4th Degree, 
with the 1st or White Degree, the Royal Blue De- 
gree as 3rd Degree and the Scarlet Degree as the 
5th Degree made up the order, till in 1881, when 
it was changed to what it is now. The second 
was the passing of a resolution relative to 
separating the Subordinate Lodge from a higher 
body to be known as the Grand Lodge. For 
more than two years and a half Washington 
Lodge No. 1, after its establishment, Avas the sole 
custodian and dispenser of the rites and teach- 
ings of Odd Fellowship in America. The con- 
flicting duties of the legislative and operative 
Odd Fellowship early evidenced the necessity of 
a separation. The membership felt the demand 
and a call was sent out for all Past Grands to 
assemble on Feb. 7th, 1821 to take into consider- 
ation the propriety and means of establishing a 
distinctly legislative body separate from the 
operative body. After a careful consideration, 
it was deemed that such should be done and the 
following resolutions were adopted and trans- 
mitted to Washington Lodge No. 1. : 

"Resolved, That it is expedient and neces- 
sary to separate the legislative from the opera- 
tive portion of the Order, as Avell to insure sys- 
tem and uniformity as greater etncciency in con- 
ducting the business of Odd Fellowship. 

"Resolved, That Washington Lodge No. 1, 



jg) = S®.IS>©m ffJgWJBff 



®, 




The E eolation of the Grand Bodies 151 

be invited to surrender to this body of past 
grands the sole possession of the charter received 
by said lodge from England." 

This request called forth a stormy session, 
but the majority agreed with the Committee of 
Past Grands and therefore it was granted. On 
February 22nd, 1821 Washington Lodge No. 1 
surrendered the Grand Charter formerly com- 
mitted to its trust, with all its powers, into the 
custodianship of the Past Grands who were to 
constitute "The Grand Lodge of Maryland and 
of the United States," which was organized that 
day with the understanding that Washington 
Lodge No. 1 should receive a Subordinate Char- 
ter from the newly organized Grand Lodge. 

On that day the first Grand Lodge of Odd 
Fellows was organized with the following offi- 
cers: Thomas Wilder, Grand Master; John P. 
Entwisle, Deputy Grand Master; Wm. S. Couth, 
Grand Warden; John Welch, Grand Secretary; 
John Boyd, Grand Guardian, and Wm. Larkan, 
Grand Conductor. Immediately the first busi- 
ness done was the granting of a Subordinate 
Charter to Washington Lodge No. 1. This 
marked distinctly the separation of the Legisla- 
tive, or Grand Lodge, from the Operative, or 
Subordinate Lodge, and placed each in its re- 
spective field of labor, thus making possible no 
divisions and variances in the great order. 

To distinguish those having the right to the 
floor of the Grand Lodge it was thought expedi- 



152 The Beacon Light 

ent to institute some secret work and form of 
initiation including an obligation. Thus the 
Golden Rule Degree — now the second Degree in 
the Subordinate Encampment — was prepared 
and conferred upon only Past Grands. More 
will be said upon this degree in its proper and 
present relation. 

Up to this time there were disorder and con- 
fusion everywhere. The sky of Odd Fellowship 
was covered with clouds and everything seemed 
enveloped in darkness. ITow dark that night 
was! But during that night the foundations of 
the order were laid deep and firm. Soon the 
(lay's approach was heralded and that was no 
time for rest or prolonged expressions of joy, but 
of intense labor. Xow began the greatest politi-' 
cal movement in the history of the order. Sub- 
ordinate Lodges, self-instituted and absolutely 
independent, were springing up in the different 
states. If Odd Fellowship was to stand, some 
radical unifying movement must take place and 
that speedily to bring these different institutions 
under one central power. The statesmanlike 
mind of Wildey saw the opportunity. Some 
one must go with authority to these different in- 
fant organizations and reveal the necessity of 
union and a central supreme head. The strug- 
gling few in the Grand Lodge of Maryland and 
of the LTnited States had no money to carry on 
the work or to further the important mission. 
No one was more suitable in all the new land 



The Evolution of the Grand Bodies 153 

than the Grand Master who had nurtured the 
mother lodge and directed the developments so 
far — Thomas Wildey. So, single handed and 
alone he started in 1823 on his trip throughout 
Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. 
This was a perilous undertaking and fraught 
Avith much hardship. If the curtains of the past 
could be drawn aside and those things now wrapt 
in oblivion could be once more seen of men in 
panoramic relations before our gaze Odd Fellow- 
ship would see that that mission and the work 
wrought by Wildey was the devotion of an heroic 
soul. What our order owes to that journey, to 
that man, to what he did, no man can tell, or 
even imagine. 

Massachusetts Lodge Xo. 1 had been self- 
instituted at Boston, Mass., on March 26th, 
1820, and correspondence began as soon as the 
Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United 
States was organized. When the Massachusetts 
Lodge Xo. 1 understood that the Grand Lodge 
of Maryland and of the United States was work- 
ing under a charter and had authority to insti- 
tute other lodges it acknowledged this body to be 
of supreme authority by petitioning for a Grand 
Lodge charter with authority to grant and issue 
charters to Subordinate Lodges instituted within 
that state. This request was immediately com- 
plied with by granting a Subordinate charter to 
Massachusetts Lodge Xo. 1 and also a Dispen- 
sation for a Grand Lodge for that state with 



154 The lira con TAght 

authority becoming its station. Carrying these 
grants, Thomas Wildey starts on his journey, but- 
in the meantime some members of Massachusetts 
Lodge had been carrying on correspondence with 
members of a similarly constituted lodge in 
New York — Columbia Lodge No. 1, which lodge 
had received a charter from the Royal Beneficent 
Duke of Sussex Lodge No. 2 of Liverpool, and in- 
formed them of the authority of the Grand Lodge 
of Maryland and the United States. Grand Mas- 
ter Wildey on his way to Boston visited the New 
York Lodge and earnestly showed the advan- 
tages of union coming from recognizing and unit- 
ing with the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of 
the United States. This pleased the members of 
the Columbia Lodge and it appears that they 
acted immediately and sent an application for 
a Dispensation for a charter for a Grand Lodge. 
This Avas granted by the Maryland Grand Body 
on June 15th, 1823. Grand Master Wildey in 
the meantime goes on to Boston and on June 9th 
institutes the Massachusetts Lodge No. 1 and on 
June 11th institutes the Grand Lodge of Massa- 
chusetts. Upon returning to New York he here 
instituted on June 24th the Grand Lodge of New 
York. 

While other self-instituted lodges were 
springing up there was. one similarly coining into 
being in Philadelphia. Hearing that New York 
Lodge — Columbia Lodge No. 1 — had been grant- 
ed a charter from England, inquiry was made by 



The Evolution of the Grand Bodies 155 

the Philadelphia Lodge whether a charter could 
he secured from them. Grand Master Wildey on 
his way to Boston visited this Pennsylvania 
Lodge No. 1 and discovered how matters stood; 
hurried on to New York and when he secured 
their harmony he wrote the brethern at Phila- 
delphia and they immediately sent in an applica- 
tion for a charter. This petition was granted and 
a charter for Pennsylvania Lodge No. 1 and a 
Dispensation for a Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 
vania were sent to Grand Master Wildey. Has- 
tening on from New York, he arrived in Phila- 
delphia and presented the Subordinate Charter 
to Pennsylvania Lodge No. 1 and on June 27, 
1823 he instituted the Grand Lodge of Pennsyl- 
vania and installed their officers. 

Thus within a month three new Grand 
Lodges were instituted with authority to insti- 
tute Subordinate Lodges in their respective jur- 
isdictions. What wonderful strides were taken 
within a few days toward a consolidation and 
union before unheard of and undreamed! This 
was a heroic achievement wr ought by a heroic 
soul. The master-miad was placed at the helm 
at just the right time to work out the great pur- 
pose of the Order, for within a few weeks what 
could not have been accomplished within years 
and without great sacrifice at another time was 
done. If a lesser genius or lesser statesman had 
been at the head of the order the difficulties 
would not have been overcome and unity result- 



1T){\ The Beacon Light 

ed. The time was ripe for Thomas Wilder to be 
clothed with the power he had and what he used 
to make an institution in harmony with a new 
spirit — tin 1 spirit of Americanism — and one that 
would stretch forth its arms and touch every 
corner of the world, binding the different peoples 
into one vast brotherhood with common aims and 
governed by one central body. 



Evolution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 

In the attempt at the unification, of the Or- 
der the Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the 
United States deemed it wise and was compelled 
to grant certain privileges to the other Grand 
Lodges over certain restricted territory similar 
and analagons with some of the rights of a leg- 
islative nature it exercised over the state of 
Maryland and in other' unoccupied territory. 
Now since the admission of the jurisdictions 
of Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, 
the position occupied by the Grand Lodge of 
.Maryland and of the United States was abnor- 
mal and irregular. 

h There is an imperative demand in the econ- 
omy of Odd Fellowship for supreme authority 
to be vested in some central body, without which 
there would be no harmony or uniformity in the 
work in this world-wide and far-reaching Order. 
We recognize that the whole institution rests 
upon the Subordinate Lodge without which the 



0^ atv \Wr S7 >e 




The Evolution of the Grand Bodies 157 

entire organization with its several departments 
would fall and crumble to the dust. We also 
affirm that there must be bands that bind the en- 
tire structure together and that union must be 
such as seizes every fiber of the institution. This 
union is perfected through Friendship, Love and 
Truth. Beside this union there must be an im- 
perial body, beyond which there is no appeal and 
whose decisions are final. Such a body to Odd 
Fellowship is found in the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge which was the natural outgrowth of the 
Subordinate Lodge. 

Well did the forefathers in Odd Fellowship 
legislate at the inaugural of this fraternity, for 
the charter received October 23d, 1820, was to 
" Washington Lodge No. 1, the Grand Lodge of 
Maryland and of the United States." This char- 
ter was committed to the custody of an opera- 
tive lodge, hence, a Subordinate Lodge — Wash- 
ington Lodge No. 1. Thus we have a triple body 
— a trinity of Odd Fellowship, under one organ- 
ization and presided over by one set of officers. 
We have already seen how the separation of the 
legislative and the operative departments took 
place in the evolution of the Grand Lodge and 
then we had the dual organization known as the 
Grand Lodge of Maryland and of the United 
States. The conditions were more favorable and 
vastly more satisfactory, than hitherto, and the 
order grew rapidly under the impetus. These 
over three vears were strenuous vears to Thorn- 



158 The Beacon Light 

as Wilder, but he made things count the most 
and upon the granting and instituting the 
Grand Lodges of Massachusetts, New York and 
Pennsylvania he made a condition possible that 
would demand a further evolution into a higher 
and more central body. Harmony for a time 
prevailed, but the imperative need of the separ- 
ation of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and the 
United States manifested itself. For here was a 
Grand Body that was co-ordinate with and at the 
same time superior to the other Grand Bodies. 
To remove all cause of complaint and conflict 
it was proposed to form a Grand Lodge of the 
United States separate and distinct from the 
other Grand Bodies. To this end a Grand Com- 
mittee of five was raised with Wildey and rep- 
resentatives from the four jurisdictions. They 
took certain duties upon themselves, and after 
obtaining the expressed desires of the various 
respective jurisdictions they met on April 15th. 
1824 and after careful deliberations they adopt- 
ed tin 1 -following resolutions: — 

"Whereas, It is expedient, in sound policy, 
that the Grand Lodges of the 1. O. (). F. in the 
United States should hold a close adherence, 
and a regular correspondence with each other, 
and it is imperative, in strict justice, to render 
the several Grand Lodges in the Union, inde- 
pendent of each other, and equally represented 
in the 1 Grand Lodge of the United States, either 
by Representatives or by Proxies; and that it is 



The Evolution of the (hand Bodies 159 

inexpedient, as well as invidious, that the Grand 
Lodge of Maryland and the Grand Lodge of the 
United Stales should act under the same Char- 
ter, and be presided over by the same Grand 
Master, whereby the office of Grand Master 
would be confined to the State of Maryland, to 
the preference of one State, and possibly to the 
injury of the whole, therefore be it, 

"Resolved, That the Grand Charter of 
Maryland and of the United States be vested 
in the Past Grands of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, and that Maryland should re- 
ceive a Grand Charter from the same; and, 
therefore, resign all claim or title to or from it 
other than in common with the other Grand 
Lodges, which said Grand Charter shall have 
and contain in the engrossing thereof, a clause 
representing the said investment and condition; 
and, further, that the Grand Lodge of Maryland 
and of the United States, doth give the said 
charter on condition that they keep the Grand 
Lodge of the United States in Maryland." 

They saw that the functions of the Grand 
Lodge of Maryland must be separated from the 
functions of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States. Then a committee was appointed to 
draft a constitution for the Grand Lodge of 
the United States, which reported August 23d. 
1S24. The result of their labors was adopted 
and forwarded to each of the Grand Lodges for 
concurrence. The annual meet in 2; of the Grand 



160 The Beacon Light 

Lodge of Maryland and of the United States, 
held on November 22d, 1821, was the last held 
in its dual relation. A preliminary meeting of 
the Grand Lodge of the United States was held 
on January 15th, 1825, at which the constitu- 
tion reported by the committee was presented 
and accepted, and the following officers were 
elected: Thomas Wilder, Grand Sire; John 
Welch, Deputy Grand Sire, and William Wil- 
liams, Grand Secretary. These Grand officers 
were not, however, installed until March 30th, 
1825. But from February 2nd, 1825, when the 
Grand Lodge of Maryland assumed an indepen- 
dent relation the functions of the "Grand Lodge 
of the United States' 7 were exercised and the 
complete separation was viewed as consummat- 
ed. Thus began in reality the separate existence 
of the Grand Lodge of Maryland from the 
Grand Lodge of the United States. From Jan- 
uary 15th, 1825, each Grand Lodge of the Unit- 
ed States and every Subordinate Lodge in a 
Jurisdiction where there was no Grand Lodge 
was subject to the Grand Lodge of the United 
States, but every Subordinate Lodge in a 
Jurisdiction where there existed a Grand Lodge 
was subject to the Grand Lodge of that state. 
The evolution and separation of the , Grand 
Lodge of the several states were the most nor- 
mal results of a wide-awake and growing insti- 
tution that was seeking the highest 



The Evolution of the Grand Bodies 161 

To mark a distinction belt ween those en- 
titled to the privileges of the Grand Lodge of 
the United States and those of the various Grand 
Lodges it was deemed necessary to have a test, so 
the secret degree called the Koyal Purple Degree 
— the present third degree of the Subordinate En- 
campment — was instituted and conferred upon 
all entitled to the honors of membership in this 
Grand Body. Further attention will be given 
this degree in its proper place. 

On September 17th, 1878, the name of the 
supreme body was changed to "The Grand 
Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows," and on September 18, 1879, the present 
title, "The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows' 7 was adopted. 

In 1826 Grand Sire Wilcley made a trip 
to England to receive just recognition for the 
American branch. Upon his departure from 
England for America he was very appropriate- 
ly addressed by Corresponding Secretary War- 
die, of the Manchester Unity. When he came 
home he brought back a Grand Charter from 
the Grand Annual Movable Committee of the 
Manchester Unity to the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. Grand Sire Wildey gave the fol- 
lowing report to a special committee called to- 
gether October 3d, 1826, for that purpose : 
''Officers and Representatives : 

"The Grand Sire respectfully reports : That 
after a passage of twenty- one days he arrived at 



162 The Beacon Light 

Liverpool, and visited the lodges, but being de- 
sirous of reaching Manchester, he took leave of 
the brethren there, and proceeded on his jour- 
ney. On arriving at Manchester he was receiv- 
ed with open arms by a few of the brothers 

"The Corresponding Secretary was ordered 
to prepare notices for the assembling of the Or- 
der on the following day at 4 o'clock P. M. and 
at the appointed time he met about six or seven 
hundred of the brethren, and all seemed over- 
joyed at his arrival. -After some preliminary 
business had been gone through with, the Grand 
Sire delivered an address, which was receiver! 
with approbation. It will appear in the next 
number of the English Magazine. 

"For six successive nights during his stay 
among them, he frequently visited two lodges in 
one evening, a conveyance was in attendance 
to take him from place to place, and at all of 
the lodges he explained to them the plan on 
which the lodges worked in the United States. 

"Several committee meetings were held for 
the transaction of business with him during his 

stay in Manchester. 

******* 

"Several alterations have taken place in 
the work of the Order, which the Grand Sire 
is of the opinion may be productive of service 
to the Order. 

"The Grand Sire presented the committee 
of the Manchester Unity with the Covenant, Re- 



The Evolution of the Grand Bodies 163 

nienibrance, and Grand Lodge Degrees, which 
were approved by them, and were left for their 
adoption. 

"Before leaving Manchester, the brethren 
being desirous of bestowing a mark of respect 
on the Grand Sire, but considering the subject 
of a delicate nature, resolved that the same 
should be intimated to him by the Grand Treas 
urer, privately, which was accordingly done by 
suggesting a good medal as suitable. 

"The Grand Sire replied, that if it was their 
wish to present him with a token of their es- 
teem, he would prefer, to anything else, a char- 
ter for the Grand Lodge of the United States, 
confirming the one granted by the Duke of 
York's Lodge, Preston. To this suggestion they 
instantly promised compliance, and on his re- 
turn from London he was presented, with a char 
ter, splendidly executed on parchment, through 
the hands of G. M. Thomas, Derbyshire, in a 
suitable manner the Corresponding Secretary 
of the district accompanied the delivery with a 
highly complimentary address. 

"From Manchester the Grand Sire proceed- 
ed to London, where he was received in a highly 
pleasing manner." 

"While visiting the lodges there he observ- 
ed an emblem representing the foundation-stone 
laid by our forefather, Adam, and procured one, 
which he now presented to the Grand Lodge. 

"After leaving London he returned to Man- 



164 The Beacon Light 

Chester and visited the country lodges, where he 
was met by a very numerous body of the Order 
who congratulated him in a highly gratifying 
manner.' 



The Evolution of the 
Encampment 



The Subordinate Encampment 

The rise and growth of any institution has 
ever been an interesting study for the real stu- 
dent of nature, of things, of organizations, of 
institutions, and of man. The more one un- 
folds the past of any government or state, the 
more emphatic to the mind becomes the real* 
smallness of beginnings. Here is a tiny seed, 
but by and by it will be a large plant. Here to- 
day is a small acorn, yonder tomorrow stands 
the mighty king of the forest, huge, tall, stately 
and majestic against the sky. One day a tiny 
drip drop was heard in the stillness of the moun- 
tain air and down the mountain side from an 
over-hanging rock a very tiny rivulet went its 
way — a rivulet at whose brink the birds of the 
trees flitted, sang and dipped their bills into its 
wooing life. Many seasons later the rushing 
torrents made a beautiful waterfall at whose 
shrine the world paid tribute and further along 
its course upon its bosom it bears the commerce 
of an extended kingdom to the seas. Here yes- 
terday were a few stragglers in a new country 
— strangers to a strange soil and aliens to an 
alien land, but today on the same shores, along 
the same river courses, out on the same broad 
prairies is the highest civilization that composes 
one of the mightiest governments on the face 

(167) 



168 The Beacon Light 

of the earth. Yes, the beginnings are small and 
at times seem quite insignificant, but the results 
accruing from them are mighty in their sweep 
and influence. A shrug f the shoulders at an 
unfavorable moment will set the myriad tongues 
of seaudal busy for years. A word of encour- 
agement at the most auspicious time will make 
heroes of men, arm a nation for defense and 
drive invaders from the fatherland, or depopu- 
late the earth and make Hades familiar with ev- 
ery language under the sun. At the shrine of 
small beginnings Ave worship now. This laAv 
lias been true of Odd Fellowship in general and 
it is true in all the development of all the 
branches of Odd Fellowship. The birth must 
take place first and after that will occur the 
growth. One cannot always tell what kind of 
matured product will come from the shapeless 
mass of life manifested in the beginnings, but 
one can fully depend upon the blood of ancestry 
in making the prophecy. If the blood is blue 
enough and free from blackening tints of imper- 
fection the product of life is always pleasing 
and will meet the fullest expectation. This 
law is a splendid basis for us to build our specu- 
lations on undoubtedly. 

The Subordinate Encampment had its small 
beginning and from that beginning sprang this 
great branch of our order. The birth was in 
this wise: 

When the separation of the legislative bodv 






The Evolution of the Encampment 169 

from the operative body took place on 22d day 
of February, 1821, there appeared a demand for 
a higher degree, which should be conferred upon 
only Past Grands. In the Journal of the Grand 
Lodge of Maryland and the United States— the 
minutes of the first session, held on February 
22d, 1S21 — we find the first mention of what is 
now known as an Encampment Degree, where 
it records the following: "Past Grand Larkain 
having been duly admitted to membership, the 
Golden Rule Degree was conferred on five Past 
Grands.-' Undoubtedly this, the Golden Rule 
degree, had been constructed and communicated 
to the head of the Order in America by an Amer- 
ican, and it was to be conferred only upon Past 
Grands. This degree is mentioned again in the 
Grand Lodge Journal of 1S22, 1823 and 1821, 
as the Fourth Degree. These references testify 
to the fact that the Golden Rule Degree was 
conferred upon Past Grands who were entitled 
to membership in the Grand Lodge of Maryland 
and of the L T nited States, and was originated to 
mark a distinction between Subordinate and 
Grand Lodge members. It was a strictly Grand 
Lodge Degree. 

The second step was soon to follow and it 
did. When the separation of the Grand Lodge 
of the United States from the Grand Lodge of 
Maryland took place the demand for another 
degree was felt and that imperatively, so the 
Royal Purple Degree was received and trans- 



170 The Beacon Light 

mitted by the Grand Master Wildey. Because 
of the lack of lectures it was not at this time 
communicated to the Grand Lodge, and at the 
Grand Lodge session on March 30th, 1825, the 
date of the installation of the Grand officers of 
the Grand Lodge of the United States it was 
"ordered that the Grand Lodge be informed that 
there is a color on their Charter for a Degree 
which they have not received, and that it will be 
forwarded as soon as possible." 

This undoubtedly alludes to either the char- 
ter of the Grand Lodge of the United States, or 
the charter of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, 
which was given by the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. In my opinion it refers to the 
latter. In the regular .Journal, page 76, of the 
Grand Lodge of the United States proceedings. 
we find a foot-note as follows : "The degree here 
alluded to was the Loyal Purple Degree. It 
had been but recently received, and owing to 
the want of the appropriate lectures was at the 
time known only to Grand Master Wildey and 
Deputy Grand Master Scochburu, of Mary- 
land." These two degrees became at once a 
permanent part of the Order in America, for at 
the regular annual communication of the Gram? 
Lodge of the United States, held April 25th, 
1826, the following Articles were added to the 
Constitution : 

"Article 22. All lodges acting under the 
Grand Lodge of the United States, when having 




Chief Patriarch- 





Sen? "Warden.. 




Hi gli. Priest. 




Jtiu_ r "Warden. 



Scribe. 




Treasurer 





Guide . 




Guard of Tent. 




S entinel.. 



Watch 



The Evolution of the Encampment 171 

five Past Grands, are at liberty to petition the 
Grand Lodge for a Grand Charter, with the 
different degrees belonging to a Grand Lodge, 
the same not before granted to a Subordinate 
Lodge, so as to enable them to have a State 
Grand Lodge, for the government of such states 
as the same may require. 

Article 23. That a State Grand Charter, 
together with the Golden Rule and Royal Pur- 
ple, or Fifth Degree, be charged at twenty dol- 
lars, to be paid for on delivery, and all neces- 
sary expenses incurred shall be paid by such 
state as shall apply for the same." 

Undoubtedly these two degrees were the 
products of American mind and ingenuity and 
therefore soon became recognized throughout 
the Order. 

The third step was taken with very much 
less logical necessity. While Past Grand Mas- 
ter McCormick, of Maryland, was in England 
in the summer of 1825 he acquired the Patriar- 
chal Degree and it was communicated by him to 
the Grand Lodge of the United States at a meet- 
iug of the Grand Committee, September 15th. 

1825, and to the Grand Lodge of Maryland, Oc- 
tober 18th, 1825. In the annual session of the 
Grand Lodge of the United States, April 25th. 

1826, we find the following condition to exist: 
"The Patriarchal Degree having been re- 
ceived from England, the charge for conferring 
the same to a Grand Lod^e shall be fixed at two 



t<2 The Beacon Light 

dollars and fifty cents. At the close of the regu- 
lar annual session of April 25th, 1.826, we find 
the Grand Lodge of the United States conferr- 
ing these three Degrees — the Golden Rule, the 
Royal Purple and the Patriarchal Degrees — 
upon the Grand Lodges of the several states, 
and, therefore, they were only conferred upon 
Past Grands. In 1826 the Grand Lodges of 
Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania, 
were in possession of all these degrees," 

In the year 1827, a new movement began 
which took the privilege formerly enjoyed by 
only Past Grands and bestowed it upon the 
Scarlet Degree member. On May 6th, 1827, a 
number of members of the Grand Lodge of 
Maryland petitioned that body for a charter to 
institute an Encampment of Patriarchs, grant- 
ing them the sole right and power to confer the 
Patriarchal, Golden Rule and Royal Purple De- 
grees upon members of the Scarlet Degree. On 
May 15th, the charter was granted, and on 
June 14th, 1827, it was instituted. This was 
the first Encampment, and afterwards adopted 
the title of ' Jerusalem Encampment No. 1, I. O. 
O. F." which title it boars today. In 1829 the 
Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, instituted a 
Grand Encampment which conferred these three 
degrees until a Subordinate Encampment was 
instituted. Soon there were five Subordinate 
Encampments in Pennsylvania. In 1810 all 
supreme authority was vested in the Sovereign 



The Evolution of the Encampment 173 

Grand Lodge of I. O. O. P., and uniformity and 
harmony prevailed over the Patriarchal Odd 
Fellowship world. 

The Encampment Branch of our Order as 
it is today, and as the newly made Patriarch 
finds it now was unknown, un thought of, and 
undreamed during the period of struggle for life 
and recognition from 1819 to 1810. Today the 
encampment is well matured and strongly or- 
ganized. It has its perfectly organized system 
of laws and usages, and its fascinating and im- 
pressive ritual. It has been evolved from a 
crude fragmentary institution which our fathers 
in Odd Fellowship knew, to the present 'perfect- 
ed, matured and strong organization manifest- 
ed and revealed to the Patriarchal student of 
these days. Now; instead of a fragmentary 
skeleton which is unattractive in many ways, 
we find beauty, solemnity and grace arrayed in 
most becoming gowns of exquisite taste. 

A brief recapitulation brings out the fol- 
lowing facts, viz : the Patriarchal, Golden Rule 
and Royal Purple Degrees were communicated 
to the Grand Lodge of the United States. These 
degrees were afterwards communicated by the 
Grand Lodge of the United States to the Grand 
Lodges of the several Jurisdictions. These 
Grand Lodges granted the sole right of con- 
ferring these degrees under certain constitu- 
tional restrictions to separate organizations. 
Finally from these organizations sprang the 



174 The Beacon Light 

Grand and Subordinate Encampments as we 
have them today. Although the field of opera- 
tion for the Encampment is limited to the Scar- 
let Degree members, yet there is hardly a state 
or territory but that there is a strong represen- 
tation. The Sovereign Grand Lodge has thrown 
the strong arm of protection around the En- 
campments in adding to the importance and 
value of the Patriarchal Degrees by declaring 
the Royal Purple Degree a necessary qualifica- 
tion for every representative or member of the 
Soverign Grand Lodge and granting to every 
Grand Encampment with a small constituency 
as many Grand Representatives to the annual 
session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge as to the 
Grand Lodge with a large constituency in the 
Jurisdiction. The reason given for the first rul- 
ing is, that he who deserves high honors in the 
higher branches of the Order where he legislates 
for all branches of the Order, to do so intelli- 
gently must be acquainted with every depart- 
ment. So we say, all hail to Patriarchal Odd 
Fellowship. 

We are not disposed to go into the intrin- 
sic virtues of this branch of Odd Fellowship for 
the virtues are many and he only who has 
studied in the cloisters of the institution itself 
and there burned the midnight oil in deep medi- 
tation and careful analysis can have a full and 
complete view of this department and the teach- 
ings therein. Probably the clearest conception 



The Evolution of the Encampment 1< 5 

of what the Encampment is can be found in the 
motto of this branch of Odd Fellowship which 
is "Faith, Hope and Charity," for under this 
banner, guided by these exalted principles o!f 
life the Patriarchal Odd Fellow goes forth to 
work the works of time. These three elements 
of nobility are the three pillars that support the 
structure. In the exercising of Faith we lay the 
foundation for Hope and Hope persuades us to 
practice the sublimest of all virtues — Charity. 
It was an inspired writer who said, "And now 
abideth Faith, Hope and Charity, these three, 
but the greatest of these is Charity." This 
branch of Odd Fellowship is pledged to culti- 
vate these three heaven-born graces so beautiful- 
ly set forth in the Sacred Book. 

This Branch of the Order has its profound 
lessons, its instructive symbols and its peculiar- 
ly impressive teachings which are sacred to the 
Patriarchal Odd Fellow. We must bear in mind 
the motto of the Order, "Friendship, Love and 
Truth," is carried into Patriarchal Odd Fellow- 
ship and is exemplified in a different coloring 
under the Encampment motto, "Faith, Hope 
and Charity." Friendship is perfected into a 
sublime Faith, Love is personified by an exalted 
Hope and Truth is exemplified by a sincere 
Charity. It is Patriarchal (Faith, Hope and 
Charity,) Odd Fellowship (Friendship, Love 
and Truth ) . What a sublime combination here- 
in expressed. 



176 The Beacon 1 A (/lit 

The Grand Encampment 

We naturally look for the centralization of 
authority in one branch of government or in the 
hands of one man who stands at the head of the 
government. This must be the case with insti- 
tutions. There must be a centralization in every 
effective organization, so much so that when the 
higher tribunal or delegated body is not in ses- 
sion some one individual stands as the embodi- 
ment of authority to act either authoritatively 
or conditionally. If this centralization has not 
developed it will in a few days, or a few .weeks, 
or a few years at most. It must and it will de- 
velop. As the ripened and matured apple conies 
from the immature and green apple, as the well 
seasoned ear of corn comes from the roasting ear, 
so must come this centralization. Thus Ave have 
the Grand Encampment coming from the Sub- 
ordinate Encampment. The Xazarine upon one 
occasion said, "Ye shall know them by their 
fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs 
of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth 
forth good fruit." The natural fruit of the Sub- 
ordinate. Encampment is the Grand Encamp- 
ment. The legislative and the operative bodies 
here as elsewhere must be separate and distinct. 

As soon as the Grand Lodge of Maryland 
granted the petition to a number of influential 
members to confer the Patriarchal, Golden Rule 
and Royal Purple Degrees a distinct branch of 






Grand SeiLWT 



Grand JnnJWT 






Grand Sentinel 



The Evolution of the Encampment 177 

Odd Fellowship was born and out of that would 
grow as did grow the desire to institute other 
Encampments over the state. A year and a half 
of experiment — from May 15th, 1827, till Janu- 
ary 16th, 1829— proved it a wise movement and 
the privilege was widened by the charter em- 
powering them "To grant dispensations for open- 
ing an Encampment to all faithful Odd Fellows 
throughout the globe." This was the establish- 
ment of a superior body with power of granting 
dispensations, and was a Grand Encampment in 
reality. The natural and logical result followed 
in Pennsylvania. On Jan. 16th, 1829, the Grand 
Lodge of that state — Pennsylvania — passed reso- 
lutions still more far-reaching than that done in 
Maryland, namely granting "a Warrant for the 
opening of a Grand Encampment, and that the 
recommendation of said Grand Encampment 
shall be necessary, at all times, to all petitions 
that shall be offered to this Grand Lodge for 
Warrants for Subordinate Encampments that 
may hereafter be applied for." This Grand En- 
campment of Pennsylvania was organized June 
19th, 1829, and conferred the Encampment De- 
grees till a Subordinate Encampment was or- 
ganized. Soon five Subordinate Encampments 
were instituted in this state. When two Sub- 
ordinate Encampments had been organized un- 
der the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mary- 
land, that body signified its willingness to trans- 
fer to a Grand Encampment all its legislative 



178 The Beacon Light 

rights as distinct from its operative duties. Oil 
September 5th, 1831, a petition was presented to 
the Grand Lodge of the United States, then in 
session at Baltimore, praying for a Grand En- 
campment at Baltimore. This charter was im- 
mediately granted and the first charter from 
the highest authority in Odd Fellowship, author- 
izing a Grand Encampment was issued from the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge. On December 31st 
1831, the (hand Encampment of Maryland was 
instituted at Baltimore. The Grand Lodge of 
Alary land, on .January 17th, 1832, "relinquished 
all the rights, if any, the said Grand Lodge now 
possessed over the Encampments in the state." 
At tiie session of the Grand Lodge of the United 
States of 1831, the Patriarchal Degrees were en- 
hanced by the following resolution: 

"That the Boyal Purple Degree shall be a 
necessary qualification for the Representatives 
in the Grand Lodge of the United States." Thus 
the first step was taken for the establishment of 
the Encampment upon a firm footing, and witli 
that footing a supreme head, or central power of 
control and management for the new branch of 
the order in the different jurisdictions. 

Another crisis confronted Odd Fellowship. 
If the wrong step should be taken it meant the 
division of Odd Fellowship into two rival 
branches, each having a supreme head and each 
coming from a common stock. Tin's would be 
done, unless both branches would be subject to 



The Evolution of the Encampment 179 

one sovereign body, which body was the final tri- 
bunal alike for all questions in all branches. 

Now the hour is at hand when all legislative 
rights and powers over the Grand Encampments 
must be vested in the Sovereign Grand Lodge of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The 
first effort toward this end Avas taken on January 
17th, 1832, by the (fraud Lodge of Maryland, 
when it relinquished all its then possessed rights 
over the Encampments in that state. The second 
effort Avas made when the matter of jurisdiction 
as to Encampments in places where there was 
no Grand Encampment yet established. To meet 
this demand we find the following action to have 
taken place : "At the regular session of the 
(fraud Lodge of the United States, held Septem- 
ber 2d, 1S33, an amended constitution and byi 
laws were adopted in which was a provision for 
the issuing of warrants for the opening of En- 
campments in states, districts and territories 
where a Grand Encampment had not been estab- 
lished." The third effort and the final one was 
enacted in 1810 when the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania adopted the following resolution : 

"Resolved, That the Grand Lodge of Penn- 
sylvania will relinquish all jurisdiction over En- 
campmnets in this state to the Grand Lodge of 
the United States." 

Immediately the reconstructive work be- 
gan. The Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania 
surrendered its charter to the Grand Lodge of 



180 The Beacon Light 

the United States and petitioned for another. The 
Sovereign Body immediately issued a new char- 
ter to the Grand Encampment of Pennsylvania 
upon which was affixed a note giving the date 
of the former charter held by the Grand Em 
campment from the Grand Body of Pennsyl- 
vania. The Grand Encampment was directed to 
recall all Subordinate Encampment charters 
and to issue new ones Avith proper note attached 
telling of the date of their respective former 
charters. From that time on the source of all 
legislative and executive authority over Encamp- 
ments rested in the Sovereign Grand Lodge and 
this authority was operated and executed 
through the several Grand Encampments of the 
different jurisdictions upon the Subordinate En- 
campments where such Grand Body existed and 
where these did not exist then directly by the 
Sovereign Grand Officers in interim and by the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge when in session. That 
act of 1840 was the supreme moment and at 
that time the supreme authority over all 
branches of Odd Fellowship was vested in the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge of the I. O. O. F. It 
was the only Avise measure to take to control this 
great body so as to leave it an honored and cred- 
itable inheritance to any age. Thus nothing Avas 
left undone to bring about a perfect uniformity 
and harmony throughout the Encampment 
branch of the order and to make the whole Patri- 
archal Odd FelloAVship world one. 



The Evolution of the Encampment 181 

It would not be proper for us to pass over 
another action of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
taken in 1841. The following amendment to the 
Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge was 
adopted by a vote of 1 to 1 : — 

"That state Grand Encampments be admit- 
ted to representation in the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, on the same terms that the state 
Grand Lodges are represented." 

Probably no other enactment or change of 
constitution could so instill enthusiasm for Patri- 
archal Odd Fellowship as this one and it has 
proven to be a very wise legislation. 



The Patriarchs Militant 

There are always some people who are 
drawn toward the military caste or tendency. 
Such have a martial strain in them that responds 
to everything of that nature. The display of 
arms, uniform and all that goes to make up such 
a movement calls out to realization the strong- 
est elements of their highest manhood. Under 
such influences he will do deeds of heroism that 
at other times are ocean-orbed from him and sea- 
fathomed beyond his achievement. He seems to 
be caught upon the wave of action and carried 
out beyond himself to do mighty deeds which 
are bedecked with sparkling movements and sub- 
lime results. He is here a master and has done 
the masterful thing. 

We would not be wrong to say that no more 



L82 The Beacon Light 

interesting chapter exists in the events of Odd 
Fellowship than one relating to the development 
of the Uniformed movement. Although it 
touches only slightly the vitality of the Patri- 
archal branch, yet it has a very interesting rela- 
tion to it. It was in 1867 when the agitation 
began in the Encampment for a uniform. They 
asked for the privileges of a uniform to be worn 
by the Royal Purple Degree members in public 
parade. This request called forth two opinions 
diametrically antagonistic one to the other. One 
faction declared that the uniform was the only 
means to maintain the standing the Order had 
acquired, and also the only means to get recruits 
from certain men who are attracted to that 
phase of lodge work and Mould go where such 
privileges were given. The other faction advo- 
cated that such would be a disadvantage and an 
hindrance, maintaining that it would drive 
away the eligible and desirable poor man and 
the man of limited means, such men as the Order 
wanted especially to make up its rank of great 
workers. In March, 1870, Grand Sire Farns- 
worth issued a proclamation against the wear- 
ing of "swords, chapeaux, gauntlets and so 
forth," labeling such acts an "innovation upon 
our system." This view was supported by the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge in session of that year. 
At the same session, however, the entering 
wedge Mas placed when the following resolution 
was considered and adopted. 



The Evolution of the Encampment 183 

"That Subordinate Encampments, when 

they appear in public, may wear such uni- 
form style of head dress as may be approved by 
the Grand Patriarch of the Jurisdiction." 

Two years now passed before any other 
movement was made in advance of the above. At 
the Sovereign Grand Lodge Session of 1872, 
when Representative Rand of Massachusetts of- 
fered a resolution recommending uniforms, and 
showing the advantages gained thereby, a 
special committee was raised. This committee 
recommended for adoption the resolution, and 
the Sovereign Grand Body accepted the recom- 
mendation and resolution, providing 

"That Encampments be permitted to wear 
such style of street uniform, on parade, as may 
be sanctioned by the Grand Encampment of 
their respective jurisdiction. " 

From this on the uniform movement was 
assured. Now the question was shifted from the 
phase as to whether there would be regimentals 
to that of a universal style for the neAV depart- 
ure over the entire world. This latter question 
was no small problem but it was certain to work 
itself out in a few years at most. Different uni- 
forms were adopted by the different jurisdic- 
tions. Sooner than at first thought a remedy 
was presented. The very next Sovereign Grand 
Lodge Session, in 1873, raised a special commit- 
tee of five to arrange a suitable street uniform 
for this branch. This committee submitted its 



184 The Beacon Ijight 

report in 1874 and it was adopted providing for 
"the uniform of the Patriarchal Branch of the 
Order to be worn on public occasions." The first 
epoch in the Uniform Movement had been com- 
pleted and the first chapter written. 

The next epoch was not at first noticeable, 
but quietly the desire was expressed for a dis- 
tinct Degree of Uniform Patriarchs. This agi- 
tation grew steadily for some time and for five 
years the matter was assuming tangible form. 
In 1879 the Sovereign Grand Lodge was peti- 
tioned for such a degree, but reported against 
the feasibility of such a step, but it did grant 
the Uniform Patriarchs the right to make laAvs 
governing their own actions. Thus the first step 
had been taken and an entering wedge placed 
that would ultimately bring the distinct degree. 
Nothing better could have beeu asked for insur- 
ing success in the movement. For two more 
years the matter grew till in 1881 several juris- 
dictions asked for the special degree. At that 
session we find a ruling that instituted a special 
committee of five to prepare and report, at the 
next session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge. 
without expense to the order "a degree suitable 
and appropriate for the purposes desired." This 
work was well done and in 1882 the report of the 
committee was adopted almost unanimously by 
that body. The only qualification to become a 
member of the Uniformed Camp Degree was 
that the applicant should be a Royal Purple De- 



The ^Evolution of the Encampment 185 

gree member in good standing. Grand Encamp- 
ments were empowered to institute such Degree 
Camps for Uniformed Patriarchs at such places 
as they deemed proper. 

Probably outside influence was brought to 
bear for such an action on the part of the Order. 
During the years 1881 and 1882 a side degree or 
order was carried on by certain Odd Fellows in 
Wisconsin called "The Patriarchal Circle." 
This was a secret organization using the pres- 
tige of the order and the uniforms of the Patri- 
archs. Addressed circulars were sent out to 
members of the order in other localities asking 
and urging them to become members of the so- 
ciety. At the Sovereign Grand Lodge session in 
1881 the Grand Sire, Glenn, referred to this so- 
ciety. In 1882 lie again mentioned the work of 
the organization. A resolution was passed out- 
lawing "The Patriarchal Circle," and the Grand 
Sire did his best to bring harmony between the 
Grand Lodge action of 1882 and. the secret so- 
ciety. Little heed was giyen to the action of the 
Grand body until 1885, when a resolution was 
adopted requiring that after Januai^ 1, 1886, 
any Odd Fellow who should retain his member- 
ship in "The Patriarchal Circle," should be ex- 
pelled from the Order ; that the Grand Sire was 
clothed with power to preyent brothers in the 
Order becoming, members of this secret society 
and continuing as such, and to compel the Grand 
Lodges of the various Jurisdictions, to enforce 



186 The Beacon Light 

the action of the Sovereign (hand Lodge upon 
penalty of the forfeit of their charter should 
they neglect or refuse to obey the law. This act 
was effective. 

After the establishment of the Uniformed 
Camp Degree in 1882, everything was not wholly 
satisfactory. The name did not suit. So in 
1883 a resolution was passed enjoining the com- 
mittee on the Patriarchal branch to report at 
the next session a more suitable name for the 
the Uniformed Degree. In 1884 the committee 
recommended that a, special committee of three 
be raised who should "ascertain what changes, 
revisions, alterations, amendments and legisla- 
tion may be necessary in order to make the De- 
gree as satisfactory and effective as possible, and 
report the same at the next session." The Grand 
Sire appointed Representatives Albin, of New 
Hampshire; Underwood, of Kentucky, and Ste- 
vens, of Minnesota. This committee reported 
a revised Degree which was exemplified before 
the Sovereign Grand Lodge 1 by tin 1 Royal Purple 
Degree Odd Fellows; now known as Canton Un- 
derwood Xo. 7, of Louisville, Kentucky. The 
Grand Lodge thanked them "for the great aid 
which they gave to the committee and for the 
soldierly, chivalrous and perfect manner in 
which they exemplified the Degree of Patriarchs 
Militant." This report was adopted and the 
Uniformed Camp Degree became "The Patri- 
archs Militant," which means "peaceful ruler 



The Evolution of the Encampment 187 

serving- as a soldier/' or "just soldier," whose 
motto is "Universal Justice/ and whose battle 
cry is "Peace or War, Peace if possible, War if 
necessary." The members were to be called 
"Chevaliers." Soon the wisdom of the change 
was evident and it attracted a widespread popu- 
larity that assured its success. 

The Canton consisted of fifteen members at 
least who were called chevaliers. The officers 
of the Canton are as follows: "Captain or Com- 
mander, Lieutenant, Ensign, Clerk, Accountant. 
Standard Bearer, Guard, Sentinel and Picket. 
The first five are elected by the Canton and the 
remaining were appointed by the Captain. No 
public parade could take place with less than 
twenty-seven. The maximum number of cheva- 
liers in a Canton is sixty-three. If it grew to 
ninety, twenty-seven of that number could elect 
a second set of officers, and by joining with other 
organizations form a Grand Canton. The high- 
er organizations such as Regiments, Brigades, 
Divisions, etc., follow the plan of the regular 
army, with general officers, staffs, and all neces- 
sary officers, equipments, etc. The meetings of 
the Cantons are held once a month. The uni- 
form was very elaborate and showy and from 
the first proved exceedingly popular throughout 
the Order/' 

It is necessary to mention one other feature 
about the Patriarchs Militant. In 1885 Repre- 
sentative J. C. Underwood, of Kentucky, was 



188 The Beacon Light 

made Lieutenant General of the Patriarchs Mil- 
itant and did masterful service. For two years 
through his generalship great advancement was 
made and in 1887 the High Commission, consist- 
ing of the Grand Sire, the Deputy Grand Sire 
and the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee 
submitted a recommendation, establishing three 
degrees entitled, "the Grand Decoration of Chiv- 
alry, to be conferred by the Commander of Pat- 
riarchs Militant upon chevaliers whoni he shall 
select. 1 ' "The Decoration of Chivalry by the 
Commanders of Departments upon chevaliers 
Avhom they may select and those recommended 
by cantons," and "the Decoration of Chivalry 
for a lady, to be conferred b} 7 the Commander 
of Patriarchs Militant upon Daughters of Re- 
bekah selected by himself and by Commanders 
of Departments upon such Daughters of Rebekah 
and other ladies, who are the wives of chevaliers, 
as may be recommended by lodges of the Degree 
of Rebekah." This movement made the Patri- 
archs Militant especially popular with both 
branches of the Order and it cemented the union 
between the different branches firmly. 

In 1893 at the Sovereign Grand Lodge ses- 
sion a radical revision took place. At this time 
a new code was adopted which provided for an 
organization according to states, territories and 
provinces. These changes are described in the 
words of another as follows : — 

"Each jurisdiction became a department 



The Evolution of the Encampment 189 

and each Canton Avas under the direct and im- 
mediate supervision of the Department Comman- 
der of the jurisdiction in which it was located. 
The Grand Sire was made the Commander-in- 
Chief of all the departments; the Grand Secre- 
tary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge was made the 
Adjutant General. All warrants for a Canton 
came through the Department Commanders and 
were issued by the Sovereign Grand Lodge." 

A few changes have been enacted at each 
succeeding session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
but they have been minor in their nature. All 
of them, it seems, have been for the strengthen- 
ing of the present plan of the organization and 
unification. At the Sovereign Grand Lodge Ses- 
sion of 1902 an amendment was offered and 
adopted which made the Grand Sire Ex officio 
Commander-in-chief of the Patriarchs Militant 
but put the active command of the Patriarchs 
Militant in an officer elected by the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge for a term of four years with the 
rank of General. The election was deferred till 
in the next annual session, 1903. This was an- 
other advance step- and gave a certain dignity 
not hithertofore possessed. At the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge session of 1904 the first General 
was elected. 

One has very aptly said : "Sonie people are 
born navigators of the seas, some are born to ac- 
tive fields of commerce and business life, some 
are born explorers and discoverers under a for- 



1<>0 The Beacon Light 

eign sun, some are born for research and investi- 
gation, some are bora to a high and holy calling, 
and some are emphatically military in their char- 
acteristics, and for them the glitter and parade 
of life will form the inspiration to generous acts. 
To those who are engaged in milder pursuits. 
yet possess the military bent, this branch of our 
Order appeals. It is a good thing for the mar- 
tial spirit to dwell with the civilian. The rugged 
son of toil needs the discipline. The delicate 
man given to clerical duties and the artisan 
both need the exercise and practice of the camp 
life. Before each we lav our thank-offering and 
to each we offer in the Patriarchs .Militant a 
pleasure, a recreation and a social relation that 
bring their special charm and attraction. So to- 
day we hear of the Canton or the Patriarchs Mil- 
itant as the Uniformed Branch of Odd Fellow- 
ship. The years of its activity alone tell of its 
victories and its advancement. By these Ave 
must arrive at our judgment. Each chevalier is 
conforming more or less to these requirements in 
making the Patriarchs Militant a strong military 
organization, which for devotion to principle and 
beauty of appearance in public parade is fast 
becoming one of the most attractive Orders." 



The Evolution of the 
Rebekah Branch 



The Ancient View of Woman 

If there is any thing that makes man 
ashamed of his ancestry it is his treatment of 
woman. In those days when war and physical 
conquest were considered the only honorable pur- 
suits those qualities that did not make the ath- 
lete were esteemed inferior and those persons 
minus the former and possessing the latter were 
deemed fit only for the inferior positions of life 
and must be content to be the servants. The 
weary fatigue of the march, the fierce assault of 
the battle, the violent strife of the enemy, the 
cruel and bloody scenes of the field of contest 
were too much for woman's delicate and refined 
nature, so she became the servant and of times 
the slave of man. This lack of the higher physi- 
cal development hindered her in the arena of 
physical competition, thus she became to him 
either his slave or his tool. This fact traced it- 
self in the political, social and even in the re- 
ligious fields and fastened itself hard upon the 
spirit of life. This condition was especially em- 
phasized in profane history and proved itself to 
be the doing of men and not the will of God. 

Go through some of the darkened lands to- 
day and you will see the image of what woman 
was in the earlier stages of civilization in all 

(193) 



194 The Hat co n Light 

lands. There she is regarded by man as a con- 
venience and very often as a beast of burden. In 
fact, she is regarded as little, if any higher than 
the beast of the fields — to please, satisfy and 
serve man. Here we see her purchased and sold, 
vised as property and made a matter of merchan- 
dise, and very often gambled away at the gam- 
bling table. With our customs and our higher 
civilization we can hardly realize what great up- 
per and nether millstones were grinding the life 
and respectability and hope out of woman in 
olden times. We cannot look upon her as the 
ancient heathens did or as some nations do to- 
day as a necessity for the continuance of the 
human race, therefore without soul, and when 
she dies that it is a mere riddance of a worn-out 
instrument which can be replaced at the will of 
man by a more acceptable and fresh one with very 
little or any trouble and cost. The wonder of it 
all is that man is what he is and not that he is 
not better, considering how near the animal he 
did live and how little of the divine was in him. 
With the elevation of man's ideals in regard 
to woman and the elevation of woman as a con- 
sequence she has come to be the blessing of civili- 
zation — the enlightenment and the deliverance 
of man himself. Man found the solution of his 
problems largely in his own attitude toward God 
and the different creations around him. It will 
be well to draw a few sharp contrasts between 
the vesterdavs and today. "Woman was not 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Brunch 195 

considered man's equal, and not till modern 
times do we find her sharing with him the rights, 
benefits and enjoyments of life. In former times 
she was a social outcast and the slave of her mas- 
ter, the lord of creation, but now she has been 
enthroned in the home and in her proper realm 
in the family as the veritable queen of the lire- 
side. The reason she was not given man's se- 
crets for so long was not that man thought she 
could not keep them, but rather because she had 
not yet been crowned. Her emancipation from 
the cruel shackles of blind prejiidice and stern 
custom was a thing of very slow growth. It did 
not make any difference as to the ultimate re- 
sult if the movement was slow in its growth, it 
was certain to produce a. beautiful plant when 
it approached its maturity. Like the century 
plant it may require a very long time — several 
generations — for it to bloom, but when it does 
bloom the revelation and beauty pay a hundred 
fold for the years of trouble and care. When 
woman is admitted into her complete rights she 
will claim and obtain the right to enter with her 
full energy into every avenue open to man." 

How long a time will elapse before such a 
perfect state shall be? No prophetic voice is 
able to declare. 'Tis true "from all creatures 
heaven hides the book of fate" and we are not 
able to tell when. No seer's eye is able to pene- 
trate the thick mist that intervenes between this 
hour and that when the highest rights will be 



196 The Beacon Light 

given unto all. We do now feel woman's power 
above all else. Tis true "she who rocks the 
cradle rules the world. " What is more is that 
no one will dispute her title to the scepter which 
she now sways over the multitudes that gather at 
the foot of her throne and swear fealty to her do- 
minion and her empire. There she shall ever 
reign unrivaled it is assured. Whether she ever 
Avill knock at the door of purely masculine 
achievements and demand admission for compe- 
tition with men in the more active endeavors is 
a question. She has done so a little and in some 
minor fields, but has not been unlimited. Her 
acreage is broad. The pendulum of her activity 
swings over a mighty scope. She makes the fair- 
est goddess and she makes the fiercest devil; she 
will be either the angel of light to the better man 
or she will be the angel of night to the baser man. 
Listen to the poet: — 

"What did the wanton sayf 
f Not mount as high/ We scarce can sink as low; 
For man at most differs as Heaven and Earth, 
But woman, worst and best, as Heaven and Hell" 
I would rather think upon the better side of 
woman and her high privilege to lift man, an 
his angel of light. Such she can be; such she has 
been and such she will ever be. I charge you to 
listen: — 

"The world was sad, the garden was a wild. 
And man the hermit, sighed till woman smiled." 
"Fair as morning star, with modesty 



The Evolution of the Bebehah Brandt 197 

Arrayed; with virtue, grace and perfect love; 
Eloquent of thoughts and comely ivords to wor- 
ship God. 
And sing his praise — the giver of all good, 
Light of darksome wilderness; to shine 
As stars to night, 

Those smiles arc hope whose icords are songs, 
Whose love tlie solace, glory and delight 
Of Man. his riches, his renown, 
When found, sufficient bliss, when lost, despair/ 7 
What is the power of woman, .you ask? Well 
do we need to consider that fact, for she has 
had no little power throughout all history and 
love for her lias made men reach the highest or 
give up to deepest despair. I like that old story 
of woman's power told in the Apochryphal Scrip- 
tures. A king once made a feast to the mighty 
men of his realm. In the midst of the banquet- 
ing he propounded the following query, "Which 
is the strongest, Wine, the King, or Woman?" 
To get the strongest possible argument and pre- 
sentation he offered to the one making the most 
feasible presentation the right to drink from a 
golden cup and to wear a silk tiara presented by 
the king and to be put in position of great honor. 
Three distinguished guests known for their skill 
in argument volunteered, and were selected. The 
first argued the power of wine and was applaud- 
ed by both King and guests. The second sup- 
ported the power of the king and in flattering 
words portrayed the kingly authority and ma- 



198 The Beacon Light 

jesty of the throne. lie, too, pleased the King 
and guests. The third argued that woman was 
the strongest in such a skillful and ingenuous 
way that the whole assembly was carried away 
with his presentation and the King awarded him 
the prize. Woman lias ever been the strongest 
factor in the 1 affairs of men. If all our women 
were great and good and ideal, permitting noth- 
ing of themselves and to themselves but that 
which is fitting, their divinely constituted posi- 
tion in the world of men would be made like 
what it is desired to be. With Edward Brooks 
we sing: 

"B< a woman on to duty! 

Raise the world from all that's low; 

1*1 <icc a i/ain in social heaven 

Virtues fair and radiant hoir; 

L< tid ///// influence to each effort . 

That shall raise our nature human; 

He not fashion's gilded lad//, — 

Be a hrare, whole souled true woman." 



The Rise of the Rebekah Degree 

The modern world is fast recognizing tin 1 
superior (dements in woman and is fast making 
proper places for her. There are some vocations 
which are more perfectly filled by woman than 
by man. In these she is establishing for herself 
thrones from which she has begun to rule, and. 
doubtless in the future she will ride undisputed 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 199 

and undisturbed. How rapidly the natural or- 
der arranges itself when once blind prejudice 
and cruel custom are banished from their 
thrones and placed upon the scaffold. If, all 
tyranny in man, custom and prejudice would be 
set at naught the present day difficulties would 
melt before the spirit of the hour like frost be- 
fore the morning's sun, and the grotesque, unde- 
sirable and the uncomfortable would be as rare 
as the arctic flora and fauna in the southern land. 
The divine passion of the Father is to lift men up 
and to have them see as He sees in all these 
things. He is doing it as He is able to acclimate 
him and to coalesce man's will to His own — a no 
small task when one thinks about it. 

Modern times witnessed the rise of woman's 
clubs and orders. The iron hand of the customs 
of the past kept her from that right and privilege. 
The first order as far as we know was established 
in Paris as late as 1742. It was not a very popu- 
lar movement, but only enjoyed by the leisure 
classes, so similar organizations sprang up and 
were instituted throughout Europe in which 
work was done by sisters and brothers. 

"In these orders at the initiation different 
Biblical scenes were enacted and presented, as 
The Temptation in Eden, The Building of the 
Tower of Babel, The Passage of Israel through 
the Wilderness, The Visit of the Queen 
of Sheba to the Courts of Solomon, and other 
equally interesting scenes from Holy Writ. The 



2(H) The Beacon Light 

names of these orders were as fanciful as they 
were attractive. The following are a few of their 
titles. 'The Knights and Xymphs of the Rose/ 
'Perseverance/ 'The Knights and Ladies of Joy/ 
'The Ladies of St. John,' k The Society of the 
Chain/ 'The Order of Felicity/ *The Companions 
of Penelope,' Little can be said in favor of ben- 
efits accruing from then). Their objects were 
mostly for pleasure and to while away the time 
in social .occasions. Some, however, had aims 
and objects of the most praiseworthy cast. The 
lessons meant to be conveyed were, chiefly, of a 
convivial and social character. The candidate, 
bound and ladened with heavy chains, was put 
through trying action while in search for .hap- 
piness. When happiness was found the heavy 
chains of iron were replaced with garlands of 
flowers called 'Chains of Love. 1 These lodges 
soon disappeared because they did not have any 
elements of perpetuity about them, and finally 
became mere toys of a sporting class. It remain- 
ed for a nobler ideal to possess men such as 'to 
proclaim peace and good will to man, uphold 
virtue and restrain the march of vice,' before a 
durable institution could be maintained. The 
privilege was a special grant to a little later age. 
even to the nineteenth century/' 

I do not think T would be over zealous to 
say that this nobler and higher task to direct the 
energies and refined qualities of united woman- 
hood along lines of beneficence was left for this 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Brandt 201 

country and the civilizations of a liberty loving 
people and also for the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows. The spirit of Odd Fellowship had 
to prepare the way and make the paths straight 
before it could be done. For several years Rep- 
resentative I. I). Williams urged upon the Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge the advantage and need of 
such a degree, and finally he made an unsuccess- 
ful attempt to get the Order to adopt a degree for 
ladies. For two years or nearly — since 1849 — it 
had been strongly urged upon the Order by sev- 
eral Grand Jurisdictions. Agitation meant at 
least a fair consideration if nothing more. Thus 
the question took positive form before the Su- 
preme Body and before the rank and file of the 
Order. 

The gauntlet was thrown down again when 
in 1850 the delegates from the Grand Lodge and 
Grand Encampment of Indiana were instructed 
to secure a degree for the ladies if possible. 
When Representative Smith of New York offered 
a resolution looking to that end they supported 
it enthusiastically and in a manner successfully. 
The resolution after debate took its logical 
course, so the matter was referred to the legis- 
lative committee which was composed of Schuy- 
ler Colfax, of Indiana, chairman ; J. G. Larne, of 
Louisiana, and Past Grand Sire, J. A. Kennedy, 
of NeAv York. The committee carefully consider- 
ed the resolution referred to them but could not 
agree on a final report, so two reports were pre- 



202 The Beacon Light 

seated. Larue and Kennedy presented the ma- 
jority report, declaring it was unadvisable and 
inappropriate to institute such a degree. Schuy- 
ler Colfax presented the minority report and 
supported it with all- his power both by voice and 
pen. Colfax in his minority report, after pre- 
senting the reasons why he believed a degree for 
the ladies would benefit the order, offered the 
following resolution, which was intended to pre- 
pare the way for a definite consideration of the 
question of such a degree at the next session: 

"Resolved, That a special committee of three 
members be appointed to prepare an appropri- 
ate Honorary Degree, with an accompanying 
sign or signs and pass-words, to be conferred up- 
on the wives of Scarlet Degree members who are 
in good standing in the Order, and that such 
committee report such Degree for consideration 
at the next communication of this Grand Lodge." 

Now the battle was on and it was to be 
fought to the finish. It was no small innovation 
and that was the crisis. Finally it was ended by 
adopting the minority report and the ladies' de- 
gree was insured. The Grand Sire appointed 
S.ehuyler Colfax, Chairman, and Representatives 
Martin, of Mississippi and Steele, of Tennessee 
as the committee to prepare the degree. It is 
now conceded that the work was put on the shoul- 
ders of the chairman of the committee and that 
Schuyler Colfax planned the Degree and wrote 
the entire ritual himself. When asked about the 



The Evolution of the Rehehali Brandt 203 

editing of tlie Degree in 1874 lie replied as fol- 
lows : — 

"At the session of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States in 1850, I was appointed chair- 
man of a committee, to prepare a degree to be 
conferred on the wives of Odd Fellows, and was 
instructed to report it at the next session, 1851. 
I wrote the lectures of the degree in July and 
August, 1851, exactly as they appear now in the 
charge hook and without consultation with any 
one, or suggestion from any quarter. 

a In regard to the working of the degree, I 
received valuable suggestions from a Past Grand 
in Maryland, who, I think, has since deceased. 
A few of these suggestions, I adopted in a modi- 
fied form, but the most of them were inappropri- 
ate, and were not considered. I have often ex- 
pressed a regret that the degree had not been 
prepared by Bro. Bklgely, Bro. Williams, or 
some other brother who would doubtless have 
performed the work more ably. But the duty 
was assigned to me by the Grand Lodge of the 
United States, and I performed it, as I have all 
other duties, to the best of my ability, and I am 
glad to state that, despite the fears expressed 
while its adoption was pending, it is today the 
best kept secret of Odd Fellowship." 

We would not be true to the hour if we did 
not follow the battle to the seat of the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge of 1851 when the committee report- 
ed the Degree for adoption. Mr. Schuyler Col- 



204 The Beacon TAght 

fax made the report. The opponents fought the 
adoption with all the cunning and ability at their 
disposal. The friends of the measure were as de- 
termined and as skilfull, if not more so, in pre- 
senting the merits of the movement. The report 
of the committee was adopted on September 
29th, 1851 by a vote of forty-six to thirty-seven. 
The ritual was at once jointed and ready for dis- 
tribution throughout Odd Fellowship. 

We need to bear in mind the limits of this 
action at its incipiency"for at the adoption this 
degree was declared to be a mere side or Honor- 
ary Degree for the Scarlet Degree members and 
their wives. It was not an essential or integral 
part of Odd Fellowship, but optional with the 
Grand Lodge to accept it or not. Therefore it 
could be rescinded by a majority of the vote of 
the Grand Lodge. Those jurisdictions opposed 
to the degree naturally did not support the 
movement by authorizing their Subordinate 
Lodges to confer it. This was the attitude as- 
sumed by Maryland and North Carolina. Thci 
battle was not wholly won yet. However ad- 
vancement was being made and in 1854 the de- 
gree was translated into German and 500 copies 
of the German ritual printed. The degree was a 
part of the Subordinate Lodge and conferred 
upon the candidates by this branch of the Order. 
Although 'Union Degree of Rebekah Lodges' 
were organized and conferred this degree separ- 
ate! v and distinct from the Subordinate Lodge. 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 205 

such action was declared by Grand Sire Veitch 
in 1S65 to be illegal." 

We may rejoice at this beginning. In our 
knowledge of what it is now we delight to trace 
this development from point to point and meas- 
ure to measure of perfection.. The- Degree for 
ladies had come into Odd Fellowship and come 
to stay. The foundation had been laid and now 
it rested with the future to perfect the structure. 



The Development of the Rebekah Lodge 

If a good foundation is laid then the struc- 
ture is certain to stand. This was done, for no 
better foundation could have been laid than was 
laid at the inception of this degree. Now it re- 
quired only time to further the plans put in oper- 
ation to carry such reforms onward and make 
the Kebekah Degree a real factor throughout all 
Odd Fellowship. However, the opposers of the 
measure still had a grip on the movement. This 
grip was soon to be shaken off and then this 
youngest child, the daughter, of Odd Fellowship 
would begin to grow till she would come to full 
stature and take a responsible place in the af- 
fairs of the order. It seems to me that this first 
stage of Rebekahism was like the genii shut up 
in a bottle and thus unable to enlarge to full size, 
but when the cork was out and the genii liberat- 
ed from the bottle they assumed proper propor- 
tions 



20(> The Beacon Light 

The development of the Degree is strongly 
impressive. For sixteen years this degree was 
never given save at the will and pleasure of a 
Subordinate Lodge and also working in the Scar- 
let Degree. In 1867 Grand Sire Sanders-, seeing 
that something radical must be done or the de- 
gree would amount to nothing, suggested in his 
annual report a way to bring unity and good 
feeling out of the movement and at the same 
time impart real life to the degree itself. The 
following is his report on the Rebekah Degree: 

"The Degree of Eebekah has been in exis- 
tence some sixteen years, and the experiment of 
a Degree of this character has been fully develop- 
ed. In some jurisdictions the Degree has been 
conferred on thousands of wives of the brethren. 
while in others the Degree has never been recog- 
nized or received. I think the time has arrived 
when the Degree should be considered one of the 
Degrees of an Order — to be universally recogniz- 
ed and conferred upon those entitled to it, or the 
Degree should be abolished. Experience has 
taught those who have seen its working that the 
Begrce is in a crude and imperfect state; not 
what it should be. While the work, as given, 
may be uniform, yet the business matter connect- 
ed thereAvith is unsettled, and each State has its 
own forms and regulations for conferring the 
Degree. I would respectfully suggest, if the De- 
gree is to be continued, that measures should be 
taken to establish it upon a more permanent 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 207 

basis, with, more enlarged powers for doing good ; 
such, for instance; as the organization of regular 
Degree Lodges to confer this Degree, with a code 
of laws which shall be uniform throughout the 
jurisdiction of this R. W. Grand Lodge; with all 
the power to elect their own officers and mem- 
bers: but making it the duty of these lodges to 
be regularly chartered by the respective Grand 
Lodges, who shall appoint the Degree Masters 
for conferring the Degree upon those duly au- 
thorized to receive it. With organizations of 
this character, or of a similar nature, and, per- 
haps, conferring the Degree on daughters of 
Scarlet Degree members, over eighteen years of 
age, I think much good might be done. Thus 
some of the objections now raised against the 
Degree removed, and the Degree placed on a 
more firm basis, it would become a help to our 
Subordinate Lodges, and a field where good and 
virtuous sisters might meet on common ground 
to relieve the sick and distressed members of 
their own lodges. I trust this matter may re- 
ceive your careful attention at the present ses- 
sion, as much anxiety is manifested in numer- 
ous jurisdictions, as to what will be done with 
this Degree. They all, I believe, think the De- 
gree may be made more useful and beneficial 
than at present, and generally hope it may be 
done." 

The suggestion of the Grand Sire was well 
received by many, and those interested began to 



208 The Beacon Light 

plan for its consummation in the fields outlined. 
The next session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
in 1868 witnessed the next triumph. A special 
committee on the subject was raised through the 
motion of Representative White, of New York, 
and the following resolution was reported and 
adopted on Friday, September 25th, by a vote 
of sixty-nine to twenty-eight: 

"That the Grand Lodges, subordinate to 
this R. W. Grand Lodge, be, and they are hereby 
authorized and empowered to institute Degree 
Lodges of the Daughters of Kebekah at such 
places as they may deem proper within their 
territorial limits, and to possess the powers and 
privileges following: 

1. To confer the Degree of Rebekah on 
such Scarlet, Degree members and their wives 
as present a certificate from the Lodge located 
in the district designated in the charter of such 
Degree Lodge, and also to confer the said De- 
gree on widows of Odd Fellows presenting cer- 
tificates from lodges of which their husbands 
were members at the time of their decease. 

2. To elect and appoint their own officers 
in the manner prescribed by their by-laws. The 
elective others to consist of a Noble Grand, 
Vice Grand, Secretary and Treasurer, and if so 
•provided in their by-laws, a Financial Secre- 
tary. The appointed officers to consist of a 
Warden, Conductor, Outside Guardian, Inside 
Guardian, Right and Left Supporters of the No 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 209 

ble Grand, Eight and Left Supporters of the 
Vice Grand. Any member of the lodge shall be 
eligible to any office in the lodge except that of 
Noble Grand, which office shall be filled by a 
Past Grand in good standing in his lodge, and 
except Warden, Outside Guardian and Inside 
Guardian avIio shall be Scarlet Degree members. 
All officers to hold office for six months or one 
year, as prescribed by the Subordinate Grand 
Lodge. 

3. To hold regular and special meetings, 
as provided by the by-laws. 

4. To fix and establish dues, to be paid 
monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually, 
as the by-laws may provide, and to provide by 
by-law when those in arrears for dues shall be 
dropped from the roll of members. Any brother 
or sister within the district designated in the 
charter may become a member on paying the 
dues provided by the by-laws, and any brother 
may continue such member so long as he re- 
mains in good standing in his Subordinate 
Lodge, and pays his dues to the Degree Lodge, 
and any sister may remain a member so long as 
her husband is entitled to remain a member, or 
so long as she remains his widow _ and pays her 
dues to the Lodge. All Degree Lodges shall con- 
sist of at least ten members, five of each sex, and 
all in good standing shall participate in the pro- 

" ceedings of the Lodge. 

5. To pay and disburse from the funds of 



210 The Beacon Light 

the lodge for the relief of the sick, the destitute 
or the distressed, from time to time, as the ma- 
jority of the members present shall, by vote, 
determine, or as shall be otherwise provided by 
the by-laws. 

6. To establish such by-laws and rules of 
order not inconsistent herewith, or with the 
rules, usages and general regulations of the Or- 
der, as they may deem proper, subject, however, 
to the approval of the Grand Lodge to which 
they are subordinate. 

That the Grand Sire, Deputy Grand Sire 
and the Grand Corresponding and Recording 
Secretaries be authorized to institute Degree 
Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah in any ter- 
ritory under the immediate jurisdiction of this 
R. W. Grand Lodge, and that such lodges pos- 
sess the power and enjoy the privileges of other 
Rebekah Degree Lodges. 

That the widow of an Odd Fellow who had 
not attained the Scarlet Degree, but who was iu 
good standing at the time of his death, may re- 
ceive the degree of Rebekah at the o'ption of the 
Lodge of which her husband was a member at 
the time of his death. 

That the Grand Corresponding and Record- 
ing Secretary be instructed to prepare and cause 
to be printed certificates of membership of the 
Daughters of Rebekah, to be furnished to lodges 
at not less than double the cost, and that the 
sum of $100 be appropriated for that purpose 



The Evolution of the Bebekah Branch 211 

from any money in the treasury not otherwise 
appropriated." 

The wisdom of this action was witnessed to 
by a greatly renewed life. The Rebekah Branch 
grew as never before. Almost every year some 
needed legislation was enacted. In 1869 the re- 
galia the sisters and brothers were to wear in 
Rebekah Degree Lodge was prescribed. Septem- 
ber 17th, 1872, the following resolution was 
adopted. 

"That there be added to the standing com- 
mittees of the R. W. Grand Lodge a committee 
on the Rebekah Degree, to consist of seven mem- 
bers." 

At the Sovereign Grand Lodge session of 
1877 the following resolutions were passed, 
changing the requirements for Noble Grand in 
the Rebekah Lodges: 

"Hereafter, the only qualification for office 
in a Rebekah Degree Lodge shall be: First. 
Such members shall be actual contributing mem- 
bers in good standing in such lodges. Second. 
No member shall be eligible to the office of Noble 
Grand unless previous service is shown in the 
office of Vice Grand in a Rebekah Degree Lodge 
or in a Subordinate Lodge." 

In 1878, Sisters and daughters of Scarlet 
Degree members were eligible. In 1884, the 
committee on the Rebekah Degree reported that 
the Grand Lodges of the various jurisdictions 
have authority to form organizations — Rebekah 



.212 The Beacon Light 

Grand Lodges — "in which representatives of 
Degree Lodges of the Daughters of Rebekah can 
meet annually, for the purpose of promoting the 
interests of that branch of the Order, and for 
social intercourse." 

Up to this time the Rebekah Degree was an 
honorary degree, or side degree, and could be 
lawfully conferred in a Subordinate Lodge, but 
in 1888 the final separation of the Subordinate 
and Rebekah Lodges look place. This Sover- 
eign Grand Lodge decided that the Degree of 
Rebekah should be conferred only in Rebekah 
Lodges and in the presence of Rebekah members 
only, and that all other laws conflicting with 
this provision be annulled and repealed. For rive 
years little or no changes of importance were 
passed, but in 1893 a committee of live was or- 
dered to revise and collate the laws pertaining 
to the Rebekah Degree, omitting the obsolete 
laws and suggesting new provisions that would 
make the laws complete and such as might 
prove advantageous to the Degree. The report ~ 
.was made to the Supreme Body at its session in 
1801 under the caption "Code for Rebekah 
Lodges." This report was revolutionizing in its 
reach. Probably the most radical measure in 
the entire list was the measure referring to qual- 
ifications for membership which was as follows: 
"The persons herein specified shall be eli- 
gible to membership in a Rebekah Lodge of this 
Order, subject to the laws relative to residence 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 213 

of this Sovereign Grand Lodge and of the 
Grand Lodge of the jurisdiction in which appli- 
cation is made. 

1. All persons who have received the De- 
gree of Rebekah. 

2. All Odd Fellows in good standing, and 
their wives. 

3. All. unmarried white women who have 
attained the age of eighteen years, who believe 
in a Supreme Intelligent Ruler of the Universe, 
and who are of good moral character." 



The Rebekah Assembly 

As in the other departments of Odd Fellow- 
ship so we can expect in this department, the 
final outcome would be the Assembly. In fact 
this is the only rational evolution of the La- 
dies' Degree. It was a very normal demand that 
the sisterhood should have a general meeting to 
unify the work in their respective jurisdictions 
and to legislate for itself in harmony with the 
principles of the Order. This goal was not 
reached by a single bound. All these reforms 
were of slow growth. No single legislation 
would likely be enacted by the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge that would admit of the greatest liberty. 
Relief was sought a long time before any step 
Avas taken toward the great need. The session 
held at Minneapolis, Minnesota, in September, 



214 The Bra ro it TAght 

188i, gave the first relief, for. here is where the 
• entering wedge was placed in position. 

The committee on the Rebekah Degree re- 
ported that several Grand Lodges should have 
authority to form organizations "in which rep- 
resentatives of Degree Lodges of the Daughters 
of Rebekah can meet annually for the purpose 
of promoting the interests of that branch of the 
Order and for social intercourse." This resolu- 
tion was adopted and the "Rebekah Degree 
Grand Lodges" were established. This enact- 
ment allowed no legislation on the part of the 
Rebekah Assembly in its own behalf, for its ob- 
jects were "social intercourse and the promotion 
of interest in the Order/' It required many 
■ moons to come and go before the next step was 
taken. When the committee of live was raised 
in 1803, to revise and collate the laws pertain- 
ing to tlie Rebekah Department, that commit roc 
reported at the session of 18<U, a constitution 
that contained the revolutionary section, chang- 
ing the source of inspiration for all time to come 
for the Rebekah Lodges: 

"Any Grand Lodge, working under a charter 
granted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, in a ju- 
risdiction having five or more Rebekah Lodges, 
is hereby empowered, upon proper petition, to 
charter and institute a Rebekah Assembly within 
Us own jurisdiction, and such Grand Lodges may 
clothe such Assembly with such powers and sur- 
round it witli such limitations as may be deemed 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 215 

best for carrying out the objects and purposes of 
Rebekah Lodges, as set forth in the laws govern- 
ing the same. Such Assemblies shall be required 
to make such reports as their respective Grand 
Lodges may direct. But all rights and privileges 
granted to Rebekah Assemblies, both those 
granted by charter and by law, shall be revoca- 
ble at any time by the Grand Lodge granting 
same, or by this Sovereign Grand Lodge." 

The constitution containing this revolution- 
ary section was adopted, thus the Rebekah 
Assembh r became a thing of reality and life. Im- 
mediately upon the adoption of this provision, 
the different jurisdictions who had not already 
formed Rebekah Grand Lodges instituted the 
Assembly. A Rebekah Assembly Degree was 
originated, and the Grand Representatives of 
the various jurisdictions were instructed to con- 
fer it upon the President of the Rebekah Assem- 
bly, and the Presidents of the Assemblies were 
authorized to confer the Degree, or cause it to 
be conferred, in their respective Assemblies, upon 
all who were eligible to membership in the Re- 
bekah Assembly of each jurisdiction. This De- 
gree was not to be conferred upon all the Past 
Noble Grands, but could be conferred only upon 
those entitled to admission to a Rebekah Assem- 
bly at Assembly time. It remained for time 
alone to tell whether this movement pertaining 
to the Ladies' Degree would prove beneficial to 
the Order or not. Many thought this was a step 



216 The Beacon Light 

too far toward the organization of an independ- 
en order, such as might later on be antagonistic 
to the highest aims of Odd Fellowship. The study 
of the progress of the Rebekah Lodge since the 
institution of an Assembly with life and purpose 
lias proven the wisdom and foresight of those 
urging the movement. Not alone has the benefit 
been for the Rebekah Degree but a peculiar stim- 
ulance has been received by the Grand and Sub- 
ordinate Lodges, which has vindicated likewise 
the clear-sightedness of the members of the Sov- 
ereign Grand Lodge of 1894, who ordered and 
supported the innovation. 

The Rebekah Assembly has its place in the 
economy of the Order. Through ithis body are 
com muni cat eel all legislation and modifications 
of the laws affecting the methods and presenta- 
tion of the teachings of this Degree, and the gov- 
ernment of the affairs of the branch of Odd Fel- 
lowship. In fact this is the only method that can 
possibly be employed for the unity and good of 
the Order. From some one central source must 
come the interpretation of the laws and the 
methods of imparting the teachings. That 
source is the Sovereign Grand Lodge which is 
the fountain head of all the branches of Odd Fel- 
loAvship. That channel of communication is as 
follows: — 

The Grand Representatives receive the in- 
terpretation and instruction from this highest 
authority in Odd Fellowship while at tin 1 Sover- 



The E eolation of the Rebekah Branch 217 

eign Grand Lodge session and they in tnrn com- 
municate the same to the highest authorities in 
their jurisdiction in the Rebetkah Branch, that 
one or that number communicate the same to 
their respective assemblies and to all who may be 
at the Assemblies and they in turn to their respec- 
tive lodges. Thus the same teachings and instruc- 
tions are transmitted throughout all Odd Fel- 
lowship. 

We question whether a better way could pos- 
sibly be found than the way now employed for 
the largest possible success in the Rebekah 
Branch of the Order. At least we have the tes- 
timony of the present marvelous success here 
achieved. One in analyzing the benefits of the As- 
sembly has enumerated them in the following 
terms which are undoubtedly profoundly true: 

" Several elements of human character that 
are essential to obtain unbroken and full devo- 
tion are cultivated by the present method. This 
mehod instills self-confidence. The sister Odd 
Fellow in the Rebekah Lodge believes, and right- 
ly, too, that her brother has confidence in her 
wisdom and motive and with due consideration 
for his wishes she perfects his ideals in her own 
way. Remove self-confidence from your own life 
and you have introduced fear and doubt — two 
black imps which destroy happiness and useful- 
ness, and have shorn yourself of your greatest 
power. This method begets self -gratification. 
What person can continue long in a task or line 



218 The Beacon Light 

of action which brings no .satisfaction or con- 
tentment? Let into the heart the monster of so 
rile a mien which will always reveal the failures 
and the deformities of life and von have seen the 
beginning of a fearful and slavish endeavor only 
executed when under the lash and whip of tyran- 
ny. The tyrant may be under the garb of popu- 
larity, ^custom, prestige or any dress of becoming 
hypocrisy. This method opens the gate to the 
field of greater achievements. What higher in- 
spiration can come to one than that which 
plains him to the yet unattained which is within 
Ins easy reach; painting its beauty in glowing 
colors that charm the fancy of the intelligent" 
unfolding its becoming graces so admired by the 
best and most distinguished; and revealing the 
attributes so desirable to the sincere, honest and 
I ruth loving people? There is no possible higher 
source of life-giving power anywhere. But con- 
trary to this prove to one that he has reached 
the zenith of his glory, the limit of his power and 
that he can never advance, let him put forth 
whatsoever efforts he will, that he must now hold 
only Ins own, eking out a mere existence 
or degenerating into something lower, and vou 
have sent an arrow that will bring uselessness. 
and decay into the most vital parts -of his life 
I ins method arranges for a large acquaintance. 
sMpm the Order, tlere the very highest ideals 
and foremost minds of the Jurisdiction, will, an 
occasional intelligence of national reputation 



The Evolution of the Rebekah Branch 219 

are met to widen the views and impart inspira- 
tion to those in attendance. The impressions 
and instructions received by the represenatives 
are imparted to their lodges and thns a general 
uplift is experienced everywhere, which is the 
result of the General Assembly and a unity is 
emphasized and strengthened unobtainable other- 
wise. To make man non-effective means only to 
isolate him from his fellows and refuse him the 
benefits accruing from the exchanging of ideals 
and plans, and deny him the inspiration that 
comes from associating with the brightest minds 
and most aggressive thinkers. To make man a 
.power within himself is to bestow upon him all 
these rights and privileges and you have blessed 
him and yourself also. To the present method, 
the Rebekah Assembly with real power, and life 
and opportunities, therefore, we give our most 
hearty support and pledge our reverent devo- 
tions. 7 - 

We know that woman in this field of action 
will exercise her womanly attributes and thus 
out from the radius of her own pure life will go 
forth streamers of holy influence. May the rich- 
est graces rest upon her as she goes in all her 
tenderness to nurse the sick, care for the or- 
phans, strew garlands over the dead and shed a 
tear of true sympathy and comfort with the 
bereaved beside the tenanted tomb. 



Three Great Men in 
Odd Fellowship 



Thomas Wildey, the Founder 

No character in all the world so interests 
the student of the rise of this branch of the se- 
cret orders as does Thomas Wildey. He stands 
out against the sky of the Odd Fellow world sil- 
houetted. His was such a personality so quaint 
in itself and so powerful in its achievements as 
to protrude itself into the centuries yet unborn. 
Who is this man? What was he? What has he 
done to merit the eulogiums cast upon him from 
hundreds of tireless orators and after-dinner 
speakers? There must be some marked charac- 
teristic that has signally pushed him out from 
among his fellow men. 

He was not a mighty statesman. He was 
not a prince of large political fame. He was not 
even a member of a family of a, long line of blue- 
blooded noblemen of x)olitical preferment. He 
was not a literary celebrity whose pen produc- 
tions startled the world of thought. He was not 
a skilled artist whose brush portrayed the finer 
elements of art. He was not a musician whose 
soul throbbed in SAveet melodies that found re- 
sponse in the souls of the multitudes. Rather, he 
was a humble tradesman who did his best to 
exercise the gifts given him and to live the larg- 
est life possible within the radius of his world. 

(223) 



224 The Beacon Light 

This life evidenced itself in the elements of a 
broad and deep interest in fraternal relations, 
lie did his best with what God had given him 
and he wrought well. Many an one more won- 
derfully endowed, of greater gifts and of larger 
possibilities did not do one-half so well. To 
such a personality we owe the beginnings of one 
of the most vital and beneficent institutions of 
modern society — Odd Fellowship. 

It was when King George III sat on the Brit- 
ish throne, when America Avas just beginning to 
gain her strength after the fearful struggle for 
Independence and to realize her obtained rights 
in the joys of peace; when the United Colonies 
were about to awaken from their new-found joy 
springing from relief from war aud from the 
realization of a dignity of statehood to the reali- 
zation of their own insufficiency under the Arti- 
cles of Confederation, and when the wide world 
was beginning to be stirred from its false dream 
of the little importance of the western world to 
the bigness of the neAV nation across the Atlantic 
that Thomas Wildey, the "Founder and Father" 
of American Odd Fellowship, was born in Lon- 
don, England. It was January 15th, 1782, when 
this life began its career so eventful to all future 
ages. Thomas Wildey received the advantages 
of the common or parish schools of his times, and 
nothing more. At the early age of fourteen 
years he was identified as an apprentice to learn 
coachspring-making. After completing his ap- 




Thomas Wilde y 
Founder of American Odd Fellowship 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 225 

prenticeship he industriously followed his pro- 
fession in various parts of England. While on 
this itinerancy he met and married his wife. 
Whether there was any romance in this affair, 
history is silent. Finally, coming to the beauti- 
ful and fashionable city of Bath, the capital of 
Somersetshire, England, he began his career as 
a craftsman. Here he was accepted and initiated i 
unto the "Indepedent Order 7 in the year 1804. 
Thus he began to be an Odd Fellow. A crafts- 
man he was in his profession as well as in the 
Order, but it was not long till he was to be a 
master in both. 

He set himself diligently to the task and 
soon became conversant with the Order in all its 
phases by advancing, step by step, through all 
its gradations. He thus obtained an accurate 
knowledge of its intrinsic excellencies, its adapt- 
ability to all the nobler elements of manhood and 
of its fitness to minister to human life in the 
midst of bitter trials and griefs and uncomfort- 
able adversities. His worth and fidelity to the 
Order was recognized and rewarded by his being 
raised three times to the principal chair and by 
the medals presented to him by his brethren in 
the lodge. Without doubt he did much mission- 
ary labor among the lodges while he lived in 
England and made himself a strong factor in the 
affairs of the Order at home. 

His coming to America Avas in this wise and 
very fittingly told by another recent writer : "Be- 



226 The Beacon TAght 

ing ambitious, Thomas Wilder sought for advan- 
tages which he knew his native laud could not 
grant him. America was looked upon as the 
most promising field for industrious and enter- 
prising young men. The inspiring and favorable 
reports received by him from friends iu America 
caused him to decide to seek his fortune and east 
his lot in the new and promising land. Xot only 
did the hope for an honest livelihood inspire this 
movement, but the desire to enjoy indepeudent 
liberty, which he esteemed the right of every ra- 
tional being, lent its influence. Therefore in 
company with his wife he set sail for America 
in July, 1817. On the 2d day of September of 
that year lie arrived in the City of Baltimore." 

One can easily recognize the spirit of home- 
sickness that came to him and especially did he 
miss his fellowship with kindred spirits in the 
Lodge room. He doubtless longed to meet his 
fellow countrymen and brothers in the lodge 
in this new world. 1 do not doubt but that he 
sought rather more earnestly for the latter than 
the former and when he met John Welch, who 
was both, there sprang up a lasting friendship 
between them. 

It Avas through the efforts arid schemes of 
Thomas Wildey that the call Avas issued for the 
meeting of Odd Fellows in the early half of 1*819 
and after two attempts the final success of the 
meeting of the five — Thomas Wildey, John 
Welch, Richard Rushworth, John Duncan and 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 227 

John Cheatham —and the organization of "Wash- 
ington Lodge No. 1" in the Seven Star Tavern 
on April 26th, 1819. He, Thomas Wildey, was 
elected the Noble Grand, and he remained in this 
office for several years. When the Grand Lodge 
of Maryland ami of the United States was or- 
ganized distinct from the Washington Lodge No. 
1, Thomas Wildey was elected the first Grand 
Master. This was on February 22nd, 1821. He 
remained in this position for several years and 
while in this position, in 1823, he made that very . 
perilous journey, largely at his own expense, 
from Baltimore, through Philadelphia, through 
New York City to Massachusetts, where he or- 
ganized the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and 
returning over his route, he organized the Grand 
Lodges of New York and Pennsylvania. When 
the Grand Lodge of the United States was sep- 
arated from the Grand Lodge of Maryland, on 
February 22nd, 1825, Thomas Wildey was elected 
the first Grand Sire. He served in this position 
for eight years — a distinctly unusual and un- 
precedented custom. In the year 1826 he made 
a trip to England for the purpose of having the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows recognized 
by the English order and to receive their co-oper- 
ation and assistance. His reception was much 
more than many anticipated for he was received 
with fitting honor and distinction worthy of his 
office. He spent several months in England and 
upon his departure the Corresponding Secretary, 



228 The Beacon Light 

Wardell, of the Manchester Unity, delivered the 
following address, attesting to the love. and ap 
preciation in which Grand Sire Wilder was held 
by them, and showing what they attributed to 
the work of his hands. It will be well to read 
this very carefully : — 

Most Worthy and Respected Hire: — In the 
name and on behalf of the Independent Order of 
Odd Fellows in England, I rise to address yon. 

-This task, Worthy Grand Master, should 
have been in the hands of a more able man than 
myself, but the lot has fallen upon me, and I 
will do it all the justice I can. 

"Permit me first to congratulate you on your 
safe arrival in your native country, for, however 
ardently you may be attached to the country of 
your adoption; however much circumstances 
may have endeared it to you; yet there is a 
feeling in the human breast never to be forgot- 
ten, never to be entirely suppressed, however far 
we roam, and that feeling is a love for our na- 
tive land 

" dear the school boy *p<>t 

We never forget, tho* there ire are forgot." 

"Hence, Sire, I congratulate you on your 
safe arrival, and sincerely hope that all those 
views, and objects, and wishes, which induced 
you to cross the Atlantic, have been amply and 
happily realized. 




Monument of Thomas Wildey, 
Baltimore, Md. 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 229 

"As an Odd Fellow, Worthy Grand Master, 
in the name of the Order, I give you their best 
thanks. To you and to you only, the United 
States of America are indebted for the existence 
of the inestimable blessing of Odd Fellowship. 
But for you that truly great country would have 
been, at this hour, without one of the most so- 
cial, moral and benevolent institutions ever 
formed by man. To you belongs distinctly and 
unequivocally the glorious title of "Founder 
and Father of American Odd Fellowship." 
This title, Most Worthy Sire, none can dispute 
you — it is clearly, plainly yours — and your name 
will be revered by future ages, when the memo- 
ry of heroes and conquerors will have been for- 
gotten. 

"The existence of a press among us, both 
here and in Baltimore, renders it unnecessary 
for me to recapitulate the particulars of the rise 
and progress of your undertaking. The maga- 
zines now put every brother in possession of all 
the leading facts connected with the Order, 
which were formerly necessarily confined to a 
few. To those magazines I triumphantly refer 
them for account of the most miraculous marches 
which you have made for the good and welfare 
of your infant institution ; exertions which none 
but a mind most determinedly bent on benevo- 
lence could have performed; exertions never 
heard of before, if we except, perhaps, those of 
the great philanthropist, the immortal Howard. 



230 The Beacon Light 

"Faith, we read, Sire, will remove moun- 
tains, but what will not charity achieve? After 
traversing the various extensive states of the 
truly great country of your adoption, and ren- 
dering all their lodges as one, you bend your 
pilgrimage hitherwisc — you join them to those 
of England — removing, as it were, the vast At- 
lantic, extending and perpetuating the princi- 
ples of benevolence, and bringing thousands, at 
an immense distance from each other, under a 
common standard — that of Friendship, Love and 
Truth. 

"To you, Sire, we are indebted for all this; 
you laid the plan, you formed the whole design ; 
you have now the happiness of seeing a new 
creation rising up around you. I say a new 
creation, Sire, because no man can become a 
genuine Odd Fellow without at the same time 
becoming a, better man. However good he may 
have been before, the duties of an Odd Fellow 
will point out to him many sources for the exer- 
cise of his goodness which before were unknown 
to him. He will necessarily become more useful. 
The facilities that our beloved Order affords, I 
may say, makes for the display of that first of 
virtues, Charity, (without which all pretensions 
to goodness are mere mummery) — these facili- 
ties, I say, will give him an opportunity of put- 
ting his goodness in full practice. 

"I do not mean to confine myself, Sire, to 
that charity which giveth only, but to that prin- 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 231 

clple of universal benevolence which embraces 
all the wants of all mankind. I do not mean 
alone their physical necessities — I mean to in- 
clude their moral inabilities. A really charita- 
ble man will feel a greater desire to relieve the 
latter than the former, because he knows if a 
man be not morally right he cannot be physic- 
ally happy. 

"Worthy Grand Master, a few words more 
on this subject. It is the principal pillar of our 
Order, we have a high authority for the fact — 
'the first of these is charity. 7 I kaow of no de- 
light equal to the luxury of doing good; but the 
first delight is to find out, succor and relieve the 
uncomplaining, the heart-broken yet proud spirit 
that cannot dig, and will not beg. Believe me, 
Sire, 

" 'Full many a stoic eye and aspect stern, 

JJide hearts wh'ere grief has little left to learnJ 

"I have now, Sire, done with this part of my 
subject. I will not presume to point out to this 
assembly the many opportunities that present 
themselves for the exercise of these virtues; the 
active and benevolent will readily perceive them 
and to such only can they be of any service. 

"In your address, Sire , on your arrival 
among us, you told us that you had mow more 
than ever cause to bless the happy hour in which 
you became an Odd Fellow.' We shall not soon 
forget the compliment. Long may you live to 



232 The Beacon TAght 

enjoy such feelings, and may every hour increase 
its felicity. 

"I shall not here particularize the many 
valuable communications received from you. 
They shall be cherished among us, and communi- 
cated in due time to the respective lodges 
throughout the Order; and Ave are satisfied that 
what you have received from us will be laid out 
to the best advantage among your children when 
you return home. 

"It now becomes my painful duty to bid 
you, Most Worthy Grand Master, officially, at 
least, farewell. A young world of your own cre- 
ation is now anxiously awaiting your arrival. 
May the waves and winds of the Atlantic speed- 
ily waft you safely home, and may you find 'all 
well.' You have the wishes ami prayers of thou- 
sands for your welfare. This lecture will bear 
with me , I am sure, when I exclaim, 'Hail Odd 
Fellowship! All hail Columbia! Long life and 
happiness to the founder and father of Ameri- - 
can Odd Fellowship.' " 

Upon his return to America Thomas Wildey 
gave his report to a specially assembled commit- 
tee on October 3rd, 1820, and with the report 
presented the. confirmatory charter from the 
Manchester Unity to the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. 

In 1835, Past Grand Sire Wildey was elec- 
ted Travelling Agent of the Grand Lodge of the 
United States. In this capacity lie traveled in 




Tomb of Thomas Wildey 
Greenmount Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland. 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 233 

every direction, encouraging the brethren and 
establishing lodges. Persevering, in the midst 
of trials, tribulations and great difficulties, his 
final unparalleled success gave him a place in 
American Odd Fellowship unrivaled by anyone 
in the history of the Order. For his sacrifices 
and labors he gained, through perseverance and 
faith, a rich and well-deserved reward. The mom 
uments of his hands stand as no marble shaft 
can stand, the living, pulsating principles of 
noble brotherhood practiced by a mighty, ever 
widening, progressive Order. 

He died in the City of Baltimore on the 19th 
day of October, 1861, being not quite 80 years 
old, and was interred in Greenmount cemetery. 
But few men in the world's history have re- 
ceived such tributes of worth as Thomas Wildey 
did when he was laid away to rest beneath the 
green. Yet a greater eulogium is evidenced by 
the tender memory in which he is held by each 
succeeding generation of Odd Fellows. 

When Ave glance at such a career and rec- 
ognize what self-sacrifice must have been under- 
gone by this heroic man — Thomas Wildey — one 
can not help but reverence him and his devotion 
to the cause of humanity. Standing beside his 
grave as the author of tMs book has, one is com- 
pelled to see the greatness of the work done, the 
nobility of the life that is gone and the brillian- 
cy of the genius displayed through him, and 
feel that here indeed lies one who while he lived 



234 The Beacon Light 

wrought better than he knew, and his works do 
follow him as the real monument to the man. 



James L. Ridgely 

Every successful and progressive institu- 
tion, begotten and inaugurated by man in the 
cloudy mists of his own limitations, must have 
a development and must have central figures, 
around whom the great and revolutionary meas- 
ures cluster. If there is no development, soon the 
ever-widening vision of human intelligence will 
rise to such heights as to minimize and belittle 
that which formerly was the greatest and the 
best. Such an institution or government is the 
result of the richest products of any time or 
place when man is progressive. The dynamics 
.and grandeur of any age are the institutions that 
are the product of that age. Only that which has 
proceeded full grown and perfect from the om- 
niscient and all wise intelligence is excepted. 
Human conceptions of the truth and better hu- 
man relations in their progressiveness are the 
best testimonials to man of his growth and ap- 
proach to God. He is seeing more and more from 
the standpoint of the perfect intelligence. As 
the unfolding child mind is the foundation of 
Hie highest pleasures to the parents in the 
home, so the highest joys of the Infinite must be 
based upon man's ever widening and progressive 
intelligence and the harmony of the life to the 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 235 

greater vision. The pride of Odd Fellowship is 
its power of adaptability to the age's needs. 

The development of an institution or life 
is manifested in one or two distinct fields, either 
in the enlargement of the parent body in general 
or in the specialization along some certain line 
within its area of action. In truth it is seldom 
a healthy growth occurs except when the devel- 
opment is manifested in both fields at the same 
time, especially before maturity has been reach- 
ed. The tree is a perfect example of this fact. 
The parent body — the trunk — is ever enlarging 
and expanding, and at the same time the branches 
are multiplying and reaching out. When 
either field has been abandoned, then decay has 
begun. I wonder after all if much more does 
not cluster around this great principle or law 
than we of times think. I think so. The beauty of 
Spring and the exuberance 'of nature pay their 
vows to this Jaw and worship before this shrine. 
Does not man progress or decay in all his phases 
of life according to the Dianian decree? Do not 
institutions and nations bow down before the 
same judgment seat? I doubt not but that the 
leading spirit of Odd Fellowship, our fraternal 
Fathers, drank deep at the spring of wisdom as 
evidenced by the developments made in both 
fields. 

The healthful growth of the expanding ele- 
ments must depend upon the healthful develop- 
ment and condition of the parent body. Unless 



236 The Beacon Light 

the trunk is healthful the branches will soon 
pine away, sicken, wither and die. Unless the 
tree is full of life and vitality the leaves fall, 
the beauty vanishes away and the winds sing sad 
requiems and moan tearful farewells through 
the branches. Decay has come to leave its traces 
everywhere. But so long as the parent-body is 
healthful then life and growth manifest them- 
selves together. This tried period of Odd Fel- 
lowship is the one we now have to deal with. 
But there must be some one around which this 
inner development and healthful condition clus- 
ters more than any other one. That character 
we have before us, for that character has stamped 
his identity most permanently upon the develop- 
ment of Odd Fellowship with nearly one-half 
a century of fidelity and good works. This 
genius and devoted servant of humanity is James 
L. Ridgely. 

It was on January 27th, 1807, in Baltimore, 
Maryland, that James L. Ridgely was born and 
thus began one destined to be one of the greatest 
lives in all Odd Fellowship. We will not lift the 
veil from over the scenes of his parentage, his 
youth, or the domestic relations — beautiful and 
bright as those scenes were. We might spend 
many a happy hour looking in upon this true 
man of humanity. We will deal only with his 
preparation for the prominent position he occu- 
pied and with the life itself. After having ac- 
quired the rudiments of knowledge he went to 



, , Three Great Men in Odd Fellow ship 237 

Mount St. Mary's College, Emmittsbury, Mary- 
land, and completed the required course, gradu- 
ating there. Having determined to make law 
his profession, he most assiduously pursued its 
study and was admitted to the Bar in Baltimore 
in June, 1828, when a little past his twentieth 
birthday. Only a few years pass before his mer- 
its were recognized at home and abroad. At the 
early age of twenty-seven he was elected Coun- 
cilman of the city of Baltimore. When thirty- 
one years of age he was elected to the Maryland 
House of Delegates where he was noted for his 
ability and attention to duty. In 1848 he was 
the President of the Board of Education of the 
city of Baltimore, and through his efforts the 
present system of public schools in that city was 
established. In 1849 he was a delegate repre- 
senting Baltimore at the convention to prepare a 
new constitution for the State of Maryland. In 
1864 he was elected Kegister of Wills for Balti- 
more County, which office he held for twelve 
years. From 1855 until his death he was Presi- 
dent of the Baltimore County Mutual Life In- 
surance Company. During the Presidency of 
Lincoln and Johnson he was Internal Revenue 
Collector. Thus we see something of the ability 
of the man and his standing as a citizen in his 
city, county, state and nation. 

The greatest labor of his life was, however, 
in promoting Odd Fellowship, and to this object 
his highest energies and splendid talents were 



238 The Beacon Light 

devoted. On May 27th, 1829, he was initiated 
in Odd Fellowship and became a member of 
Columbia Lodge No. 3. He was in his twenty- 
second year. The following year he passed 
through the chairs and entered the Grand Lodge 
of Maryland. In 1838 he became Grand Secre- 
tary of the Grand Lodge of Maryland and in the 
following year — 1834 — he became Grand Mas- 
ter. In the year 1835 he av as Grand Representa- 
tive of Maryland to the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
( The Grand Lodge of the U. S. ) At this session 
he took a very active part in the revision of the 
ritual and brought himself so prominently be- 
fore the Supreme Body that on, the following 
year, 1836, he was elected Grand Sire. He de- 
clined this office at the special session in May. 
1837. At the regular session the office of Grand 
Corresponding Secretary was created to the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge with the salary of Fifty 
Dollars per year. During the Session of the 
Sovereign Grand Body in 1839 James L. Ridge- 
]y Avas elected to this position. In 1840 he was 
for the second time elected Grand Sire, but at 
tl:e following session, 1841, he resigned that of- 
fice and was elected Grand Recording Secretary 
for two years. By this double election to Grand 
Corresponding and Grand Recording Secretary- 
ship these two offices were -united in one. He 
held this position till his death, November lfith. 
1881. ■ 

VCe desire next to look at his work in the 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 230 

order. As Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge 
of the United States, James L. Ridgely was 
placed in a position of high worth, peculiarly 
fitting and suited to his talent. From this time 
on (1841) his whole energy was given to promote 
the interests of the Order. He was elected edi- 
tor of the official organ of Odd Fellowship "The 
Covenant" — a magazine set apart for the inter- 
ests of the Order and which did much to popu- 
larize and build up Odd Fellowship all over the 
land. For three years he rendered invaluable 
services for which the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
voted him a gold medal. As Corresponding Sec- 
retary he presented at each regular session of 
the Sovereign Grand Lodge, from 1840 to 1880, 
a formal, extended, complete and illuminating 
report of the Order. 

His pen was never idle, but ever leaving ex 
pressions of devotion to the Order. Benevolence 
charity, friendship, brotherhood and other kind 
red subjects were ever absorbing themes to him 
The Standard Tract, the voluminous Annual Ee 
ports, his correspondence, his addresses, his ora 
tions, his eulogies, articles written to periodicals 
with the Past Grands Charge will ever stand as 
imperishable monuments to his ability and meas- 
ure in a slight degree his greatness. So zealous 
was he. through the delicate moral sense of his 
own nature that he wrought for a perfect unison 
of practice and precepts in Odd Fellowship ev- 
erywhere. He longed for a world-wide brother- 



240 The Beacon Light 

hood that would touch every corner of the Earth. 
He sought to make the bond between English 
and American Odd Fellowship tighter and the 
relationship more intimate. The following reso- 
lution ottered by him in the First Sovereign 
Grand Lodge he attended gave the temper of the 
man. 

"Resolved, That the Committee on Corres- 
pondence of this Grand Lodge be directed to ad- 
dress a congratulatory letter to our brethern in 
Great Britain upon the state of the Order in that 
country, and respectfully to suggest to them the 
propriety of discontinuing all convivial practices 
in their Lodges, and to solicit from them a de- 
tailed historical account of the origin, rise and 
progress of the Order, and to transmit to them a 
copy I neatly bound) of the Constitution, and 
proceedings up to this session, inclusive, of the 
Grand Lodge of the United States, and the re- 
vised Work of the Order as adopted at this ses- 
sion; and most especially to request them to 
make no alteration whatever in the general fea- 
tures of the Order, without a mutual consulta- 
tion on the subject, as uniformity of actions and 
principle is essentially necessary to the welfare 
of the Order." 

To further this union between American and 
British Odd Fellowship the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge appointed and sent in 1841 a commission 
composed of Grand Secretary James L. Rid gel y 
and Grand Chaplain Isaac D. Williams to Eng- 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 241 

land, which, commission had as an object to 
reconcile all difficulties and bring about a closer 
union. To this end the years of Eidgely's life 
were spent with the full power of his ability, and 
not in vain. 

During these forty-one years of the Grand 
Secretaryship of James L. Eidgely the Order 
passed with gigantic strides to success. Odd Fel- 
lowship passe'd from 14 Grand Lodges with 155 
Subordinate Lodges with a membership of 
11,166 ; from 4 Grand Encampments with 36 Sub- 
ordinate Encampments of a membership of 463, 
and without any Eebekah Degree, to 50 Grand 
Lodges with 7,308 Subordinate Lodges with a 
membership of 475,948; to 41 Grand Encamp- 
ments with 1839 Subordinate Encampments with 
a membership of 80,643, and a Eebekah Branch 
with 872 Eebekah Lodges with a membership of 
nearly 4,500 of which over 50 per cent were sis- 
ters of the Order. What wonderful years for 
Odd Fellowship ! To James L. Eidgely and his 
coadjutors is due high tribute, for to them the Or- 
der owes the proud position it now holds. Drawn 
away from the limited field of action into the 
world that is limitless by the call of charity and 
love, to bind into one grand brotherhood and to 
fraternize all mankind; to unite in one homo- 
geneous whole all the nations and kindred of 
men that dwell upon the face of the Earth, to 
make the dwellers upon land and sea true kind- 
red one to another — this was the passion and 



242 The Beacon Light 

hope of these men who stood at the head of this 
great fraternity. What a broad outlook this spir- 
it in the hearts and souls of the leaders gave to 
our beloved Order. The subsequent history of 
this institution has paid high compliment to this 
one man avIio for over forty years was the cen- 
tral figure in all movements ami developments of 
Odd Fellowship. 

This man who lived and associated with 
Thomas Wildey when he was in the zenith of his 
power; this man who had been twice elected 
Grand Sire and declined the honor ; this man who 
served for over forty years the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge as its Grand Secretary and Odd Fellow- 
ship as its Chief Secretary; this man who joined 
the early and undeveloped Odd Fellowship with 
the later more perfectly developed organization, 
witnessing from the position of authority and 
mastery the development, progress and unfold- 
ing of the much beloved institution; this man 
who had such a part to play in all the phases 
through which the Order passed, deserves 
careful consideration and great honor from every 
earnest and true Odd Fellow. In fact, every 
lover of mankind who longs for the amelioration 
of the race should give due deference to this much 
distinguished character — James L. Ridgely. 

The last appearance of Mr. Ridgely in the 
Sovereign Grand Lodge session was at Toronto 
in 1880. When the Supreme Body assembled in 
Cincinnati in 1881 the familiar face of the Grand 




Monument of J as. L. Kidgely, 
Harlam Park, Baltimore, Md. 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 243 

Secretary was not there. Nevertheless the Order 
retained him in his position and he was Grand 
Secretary of the highest body of Odd Fellowship 
when he passed away on November 16th, 1881. 
He had been stricken by paralysis on December 
1st, 1879, and gradually he faded away. His go- 
ing was like the setting of the sun. He was 74 
years, 9 months and 20 days of age. He was laid 
to rest in Greenmount Cemetery in the City of 
Baltimore. 

Now there stands in Harlam Park, Balti- 
more, Maryland, a handsome monument on the 
summit of which is a life-sized figure of James L. 
Bidgely. This monument was erected by a de- 
voted brotherhood in sacred memory of this hero 
of Odd Fellowship. The King of Day kisses his 
brow with glory and the giver of all sweet mem- 
ories clusters upon his head the brilliant gems 
of an everlasting benediction. Shall his like be 
seen again? None can tell, but surely the proph- 
ecy of sacred writ is again fulfilled in his case: 
— "His works do follow him." He does live yet 
in the very heart of the Order. 

Probably no more fitting close could be giv- 
en this sketch than an extract from Kidgely's an- 
nual report before the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
of 1880, which measures the man and his hope 
in our beloved Order : 

"This Order is not an experiment, but has 
survived the pestilence, that walketh in dark- 
ness;' the ordeal of fire has not affected it; gaunt 



244 the Beacon Light 

famine has fled at its approach, and at its com- 
mand the sword red with blood of fierce conflicts 
has been sheathed. With its sixty-one years of 
active ministration in the cause of humanity; its 
admirable code of laws; its systematic benevo- 
lence—attributes that have been widely copied by 
other organizations— there is not the slightest 
room for doubt as to the permanency of the in- 
stitution. Built upon the immutable corner- 
stones of Friendship, Love and Truth, despite 
the efforts of foes without and enemies within, 
it will live to bless mankind in the future as it 
has in the past. As it has stood, so it, too, will 
stand: 

" M s some tall cliff that lifts its mighty form 
Swells from the vale, and midway leaves the 
storm; 
Though round its breast the rolling clouds mag 
spread. 
Eternal sunshine settles on its head: 

"Representatives of a world-wide jurisdic- 
tion, standing- like watchmen on the towers of 
some great castle, you will doubtless take lessons 
from the past and so shape your legislation that 
there may be no step backward ; but that 'prog- 
ress' shall continue the watchword of the Order. 
"FAITH with resplendent eyes looks on 
lovingly, and bids you 'fail not, falter not, weary 
not in well doing.' HOPE bends over you a bow 
bright with magnificent promise for the future, 
inviting you to enter upon and occupy the uncul- 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 245 

tivated ground, and CHARITY, 'chief among 
the blessed three/ with her angelic countenance, 
smiles her approval of your efforts in the past, 
encouraging to still greater achievemets in the 
years to come. 

"It is my earnest prayer that your delibera- 
tions may redound to the good of the great Or- 
der, whose destiny is in your hands; that wide- 
spread as it has become, it may be further ex- 
tended, encircling the world; its beautiful ban- 
ners floating from temples in every habitable 
portion of the globe; its anthems be continually 
heard, 'like the drums of England, from the ris- 
ing to the setting, and the setting to the rising 
sun/ until it may be truthfully said, 'there are 
no more worlds to conquer.-" 



Schuyler Colfax 

Human nature is given to hero worship. 
Each life seems to select some soul, exalted at 
least in that one's estimate and clothes that 
character with the habiliments of the supreme 
imagery of his own mind. Before that shrine 
the devotee oifers daily devotions. Do we object 
to this method of living? I think not, for there 
is a beneficent result coming out from such prac- 
tices, providing the object of appreciation is of 
the worthy type. This depends much upon the 
stamp of life made upon the young heart by the 
parent power and life. Notice well and you will 



246 The Beacon Light 

see that the hero shapens and moulds the devo- 
tee into the likeness of his image through the 
affections and sacrifices rendered by the individ- 
ual in his lingerings at the shrine of his devo- 
tion. Why not hold sacred this passage-way into 
the inner temple of the individual, and touch 
the heroic elements within? That will make the 
individual respond to the most delicate prompt- 
ings to the nobler life if the hero is of the finer 
and better type of men, unselfish, devoted to an 
exalted truth, given over to the nobler things of 
life, human relation and accidents. 

Humanity early learns to bow at the shrine 
of heroism and human greatness. The tiny babe 
looks up with wonder and amazement into the 
face that bends over the cradle. As the child 
grows and sees the masterfulness of the parent 
and how the parent does (to him) impossible 
things that wonder changes into admiration. 
Out from this admiration comes ideality, so the 
first ideal a boy has is to be a man just like his 
father, and the first ideal a girl has is to be a 
woman just like her mother. That parent-hero 
never will leave the childish heart till it has out- 
grown the greatness of the parent and sees a 
more heroic personage in somebody else. Sad is 
the day when the child does not see in the parent 
elements of superior cast, such as never dimin- 
ish, but always abide deified. 

However, it is possible to worship at other 
than the shrine of parental heroism. We may 




Schuyler Colfax 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 247 

have our moral hero, our battle-scarred hero, 
our statesman hero, our intellectual hero, our 
hero of exploration, our hero of achievement, 
our martyr hero, our spiritual hero. At this 
hour we pay high tribute to the hero of devotiou 
and achievement. He has wrought well, and the 
result of his hand has made him a hero of no 
ordinary stamp. How we honor that one who 
has devoted life to the achievement of some 
great thing and mighty task. It matters not 
how early or how late one brings a thing to pass 
just so it is wrought, and that well. The few 
years of life made Bryant immortal in his 
Thanatopsis. Tennyson will have great immor- 
tality in the Knights of the Round Tabl&, but he 
was made just as immortal by his "In Memori- 
am." When an event requires the devotion 
and the power of a lifetime or the experience of 
ripened years to be placed on the altar of sacri- 
fice, it matters not whether in youth or old age 
the event takes place, then is the human instru- 
ment a hero of large degree and great propor- 
tions. To such a hero we ascribe honor at this 
hour. For no greater man has risen or ever will 
rise in Rebekah Odd Fellowship than Schuyler 
Colfax. 

"Some people have given to them, by a cer- 
tain age of the world, or by the stage of develop- 
ment of an institution and by environments, op- 
porunities to do great and lasting service to 
the world. It may be done by a careful, scruti- 



248 The Beacon IAght 

nizing and penetrating research in unrevealed 
realms, there recognizing new possibilities for 
humanity and unfolding them to an ever grate- 
ful race, It may be done by mounting such 
heights of thought and of soul as to see visions 
before undiscerned, and portray them to a re- 
ceptive world as Raphael with his 'Transfigura- 
tion.' Wherever the field of activity may be and 
what blessings may be brought, such a soul is 
great before a just and admiring world. If to 
confer lasting benefit upon mankind is the basis 
for a true title to greatness, then surely the 
name of Schuyler Colfax should hold no mean 
place in the annals of the world's great charac- 
ters. To this shrine of human greatness we now 
come to pay tribute." 

Odd Fellowship unceasingly and untiringly 
pays tribute to the founder of the Rebekah 
branch. It would have been possible for another 
to have arisen and accomplished the institution 
of a Woman's Degree just as well as Schuyler 
Colfax, but if another had done the work we 
would never have had the Degree as it now 
is with all its excellencies and attractions. One 
needs only to study the degree as it is or to pass 
through its initiatory ceremony and receive its 
instructions to realize how great and good a mau 
our hero of devotion and achievement was. I ask 
you should any lover of our world-wide order re- 
main ignorant of such an important personage? 
Most ceretainly not. Schuyler Colfax should be 



Three Great Men in Odd Felloicship 249 

well and familiarly known by every lover of 
Odd Fellowship. He is our third hero. Let us 
study him and his career a little if you please. 

Schuyler Colfax was born of heroic blood, 
for the martial strain ran through his veins, yet 
he himself never marched to the sound of the 
drum or the melody of the fife. His granfather, 
General William Colfax, of New Jersey, was 
commander, at the close of the Revolutionary 
War, of Washington's famous life-guards. 
Schuyler was born in New York City on March 
23rd, 1823. His father died while he was quite 
a small boy. Thus under the direct care and 
teaching of his mother he was the product of her 
character more than the father's. In his thir- 
teenth or fourteenth year — in 1836 — he moved 
from New York City, with his mother, to South 
Bend, St. Joseph County, Northern Indiana, and 
began in due course of time to study law. His 
political career is very interesting. He began it 
as a newspaper man and ended it in the second 
place in the gift of the nation. It Avas as fol- 
lows : 

"In 1845 he became editor and proprietor 
of the St. Joseph Valley Register, a strong Whig 
paper. In 1847 he Avas the chief secretary of 
the River and Harbor Convention at Chicago, 
and in 184S and 1852 he was secretary of the 
Whig National Convention. In 1850 he was a 
member of the state convention which formed a 
new constitution for Indiana. It fell to his lot 



250 The Beacon Light 

to vigorously, yet unsuccessfully oppose the 
clause prohibiting colored people settling in the 
state. He joined the Republican party at its for- 
mation in 1854, was immediately elected to con- 
gress, and Avas re-elected six times, thus continu- 
ing to serve his district till 1869. His speech on 
the "Conflict Between Slavery and Freedom in 
-Kansas," was delivered in congress in 1856 and 
a million copies were circulated. In De^°mber, 
1863 he was elected Speaker of the House of 
Representatives and was re-elected in 1865 and 
1867. In 1865 he made an overland trip in a 
stage coach, across the continent so as to report 
to the public the feasibility of a railroad to the 
Pacific and to see the conditions existing on the 
Pacific slope. During the civil war he was a 
close friend and adviser of President Lincoln 
and had great influence over all legislation then 
and during the Southern reconstruction period. 
While yet Speaker of the House he was nominat- 
ed in 1868, at the Republican National conven- 
tion , Chicago, Illinois, for Vice President of the 
United States on the ticket with General U. S. 
Grant, and was elected. He presided over the 
Senate till 1873. History does not tell us that 
like honor, — to preside over both Houses — ever 
came to any other one man. He retired from 
politics in 1873, and until his death in 1885, he 
Avas prominent as a public lecturer." 

Probably Schuyler Colfax will live longer 
in the world's estimation for his work as an Odd 



Three Great Men in Odd Fellowship 251 

Fellow, than iu any other field. Waving his 
connection with Indiana State Odd Fellowship, 
we shall consider his relations to the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge sessions. The Grand Encampment 
of Indiana in 1849, elected him to represent it 
in Sovereign Grand Lodge. He was full of en- 
thusiasm for the Order and wished the best for 
it. He was appointed chairman of the legisla- 
tive committee. When a resolution, favoring 
a degree for ladies — wives and daughters of Scar- 
let Degree members — was referred to this com- 
mittee, the other two members of the legislative 
committee sent in a report opposing the institu- 
tion of such a degree. Schuyler Colfax favored 
the plan with all his power, by voice and pen, 
submitting a minority report. The battle was 
a long and bitter one and strenuously fought on 
both sides, but finally the minority report was 
adopted. The Grand Sire appointed Schuyler 
Colfax chairman of the special committee of 
three to arrange the degree and report at the , 
next session. Between that session (1850) and 
the session of 1851, Schuyler Colfax, himself, 
unaided, wrote the lectures of this degree as 
they are now given to the candidate. In Septem- 
ber, 1851, this degree was reported by Bro. Col- 
fax and was adopted by a vote of forty-six to 
thirty-seven. The ritual, as it was given in the 
report, was pronounced beautiful by distinguish- 
ed men of the Order and a grand addition to the 
literature of Odd Fellowship. The ritual was at 



252 The Beacon Light 

once printed and sent throughout the several 
jurisdictions. What an honor to the composer 
and originator of the degree! What an epitome 
of Odd Fellowship this Rebekah Degree is! Un- 
told eneoninms were bestowed upon it and well 
(](h^ it, deserve them all. So I again declare 
Schuyler Colfax, the father and founder of the 
Rebekah Degree, will live longer in the realms 
of Odd Fellowship than any other. After his 
retirement from politics in 1873, until his death 
in 1885, much of his time was spent upon the 
Odd Fellow platform, setting forth the ob- 
jects, aims, virtues and teachings of the Order. 
The Odd Fellows of the state and Nation honor 
him, and now hold his memory sacred. A bronze 
statue of him was erected in University Park. 
Indianapolis, Indiana, by the Odd Fellows, and 
was unveiled on May 18th.l88T. 

"To understand Schuyler Colfax well one 
must understand his stroug characteristics — 
must thoroughly understand the man in all his 
powers. In all his great undertakings he was 
pitted against men of superior worth. In his 
political achievements he was contending with 
strong and eloquent political leaders. He was 
placed at the head of the Lower House when 
gifted men of varied temperaments were in that 
body. When he carried the cause to institute 
a Ladies' Degree in the I. O. O. F.. it was against 
some of the most influential and eloquent men of 
the Order. Yet these victories for Schuvler Col- 



Three (treat Men lit Odd Fellowship 253 

fax were decisive and far reaching. There must, 
therefore, be something' in the man that makes it 
possible for such laurels to be placed upon his 
brow. Men who knew him when lie was rising 
toward and at his zenith say that he was a slight, 
spare built man of less than average height, 
weighing probably not more than 140 or 150 
pounds, light complexioned, blue eyes and dark 
brown hair. Such a figure surely was not im- 
posing or such as by its presence alone demand- 
ed respect and reverence. The power lay in the 
man himself. His character was unimpeach- 
able. Behind the ph}sical encasement was the 
imperial, kingly man. Added to this we find a 
brilliant and classic mind that responded to 
every emergency and a magnetism that seized 
and held men. He was made of such material 
and elements that compose orators — orators 
that make and unmake men and nations. He 
had the power to hold in absolute and entranc- 
ing silence a large concourse of people for hours 
at a time. He was a master in debate. He never 
did get angry or abuse his opponent, It was 
always with a sunny, hopeful face and winning 
voice that made people think, hope and talk as 
he did. When people once heard and knew him 
they loved him and would come from long dis- 
tances to hear and see him even though the jour- 
ney was fraught with dangers and hardships. 
If it had not been for the unfortunate affair of 
the Credit Mobilier, in which he was perfectly 



254 The Beacon Light 

innocent of any crooked dealing and which shor- 
tened his life by more than a dozen years, he 
would have been honored still more by a united 
people. To this man with such a beautiful char- 
acter, great personal attraction and power as an 
orator, we pay tribute before a just and un- 
biased people." 



Lecture Addresses 



Birthplace of American Odd Fellowship 

It is satisfactory as well as important for 
Odd Fellows in particular and humanity in gen- 
eral to know about the birth and rise of Odd Fel- 
lowship in America. In fact, every Odd Fellow 
should familiarize himself with the conditions 
and incidents of its birth and know more than 
"passing- well" the progress made from time to 
time. This is his privilege and it should be his 
pleasure as well as his passion. I trust this will 
be so, if it is not so with each one of you now. 

In looking over the history of our beloved 
Order we find that the first lodge was duly insti- 
tuted on April 26th, 1819, in the City of Balti- 
more. We would not presume to say there were 
no attempts at establishing Odd Fellowship in 
America previous to this date, but we do assume 
to say that from that hour to the present we have 
had an unbroken history • down through these 
years. There were attempts made, and heroic 
at that, if history and secret lore do not mis- 
lead us, in both New York City and in Philadel- 
phia as well as in Boston, but these all saw the 
supremacy of this lodge in Baltimore and sur- 
rendered to her the motherhood of the Order. 
For several months efforts were put forth for a 
meeting of enough Odd Fellows to institute a 
lodge and an adjournment was necessary till 

(257) 



258 The Beacon Light 

finally on April 2nd, 1819, the required number, 
live, met after satisfying each other that they 
were regularly initiated Odd Fellows and after 
some conversation appointed a meeting on the 
26th to organize. The five, Thomas Wildey, John 
Welch, John Duncan, John Cheatham and Rich- 
ard Rushworth, all Englishmen by birth and 
members of the Manchester Unity, met at the 
appointed time and place and organized Wash- 
ington Lodge No. 1. Their pure Americanism 
and loyalty to their adopted country were evi- 
denced by the name they gave the lodge — Wash- 
ington Lodge No. 1, for the Father of our coun- 
try. 

It was our privilege in September, 1903 to 
visit the Sovereign Grand Lodge then in session 
in the city of Baltimore. We found it to be a 
great historic center. It is called the monumen- 
tal city, and rightly, too, because of the many 
beautiful and costly monuments erected in hon- 
or of illustrious men and epoch-making events 
in history. One could spend days studying them 
and refreshing one's mind concerning the histor- 
ic men and events. Baltimore became at an early 
date a great political center and the headquar- ' 
ters for men like Washington, Jefferson, Adams, 
Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Franklin and 
numerous other notable revolutionary men. 
What great transforming, epoch-making events 
found their conception here only the light of 
eternity can now reveal. Doubtless there were 
manv such events. 



Lecture Addresses 259 

We must not neglect another phase of ex- 
cellency found in this city. It is a great oyster 
city and its citizens have never ceased being 
proud of its being called the "American Soup 
Dish." It is said of our Congressmen while in 
residence in Washington that when they get out 
of business and need a little recreation they run 
over to Baltimore for refreshments. Doubtless 
it is the Baltimore soup and oyster they are after. 
We hope it is nothing worse than that. 

While Baltimore is a city of inventions and 
of education, for some of the finest institutions 
in the land are located here, its contributions to 
history stand foremost. It is the birthplace of 
some of the leading societies of our great Com- 
monwealth. Baltimore is the home of the most 
influential catholic, the one who stands the near- 
est to the Pope in all America, hence this city 
might be called the headquarters of Catholicism 
in America. The Improved Order of Red Men 
was organized here. If we should go down a cer- 
tain street, and would look at a certain magnifi- 
cent modern building we would see upon it a 
tablet with this inscription: 

Upon This Site Stood 
from 1774 to 1780 

THE LOVELY LANE MEETING HOUSE 

In Which Was Organized 

December j 1784 

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 

In the United States of 
America. 



libO The Beacon Light 

It was our pleasure to go down, after we 
had seen the above site, to the old Eutaw Street 
Methodist Episcopal Church, erected more than 
a century ago, and view the place where once 
lay the mortal remains of the sainted Bishop 
Francis Asbury, the. pioneer and master preach- 
er of his time. Here he was laid to rest beneath 
the pulpit from which he had often declared the 
Gospel of his faith, confident that there he could 
rest in peace from all vandalism. While speak- 
ing of this great ecclesiastic organization, it 
would not be amiss to state another interesting 
fact. Boarding a car, we went out to the en- 
trance of Mount Olivet Cemetery, and following 
directions, we wound our way across the city 
of the silent to a spot on the north side. Here 
we stood by the spot called the ^Methodist Lot." 
No where on earth is there such another. With 
uncovered heads Ave stood reverently amid the 
graves of the heroic ami gifted dead. Here rest 
about fifty of the old pioneer Methodists, sleep- 
ing and awaiting the judgment morning. Among 
them were five Bishops of that church— Bishops 
Asbury, Emory, George, Waugh and Ames, bo- 
sides Robert Strawbridge, Jesse Lee and many 
other veterans of the Cross. This was in fact 
"God's Acre." A very suitable monument marks 
the resting place of the Bishops. And it is with 
honor to the Methodist Episcopal Church that 
at the place of its birth in America it lias such 
a place as this. Every organization is proud of 



Lecture Addresses 261 

its illustrious men, and especially of its illus- 
trious dead. 

Baltimore is also the birthplace of the Inde- 
pendent Order of Odd Fellows, as stated before. 
The old building, the Seven Stars Tavern, or ho- 
tel, down on South Water Street, in which this 
institution of the Order was effected on April 
26th, 1819, was still standing. It was with a 
great deal of pleasure that I ascended the old 
stairs and entered the old lodge room. The 
building was a three story brick, owned by a 
syndicate. On the first floor was a machine shop. 
The old walls were solid as ever, apparently. 
They were made from brick manufactured in 
England and shipped over. From the best in- 
formation obtainable it was concluded the build- 
ing had stood 150 years. The Lodge room was 
in the third story. You can imagine with what 
mingled feelings of joy, delight and sadness, we 
visited the room and thought of the origin, 
growth and spread of the Order. No one can 
stand there now, for the building was destroyed 
in the late great fire. That was a priceless privi- 
lege to many an Odd Fellow in the past. < 

While upon this visit we saw one of the 
most inspiring scenes. It was the parade of the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Twenty 
Five Thousand members of the Order were in 
line, members of all departments. The Subordi- 
nate Branch galore, with Bebekah and Encamp- 
ment members strongly represented and Canton 



262 The Beacon Light 

after Canton in gorgeous array filled the streets 
with banners and with dashing chivalry. It was 
like the return of a triumphant army on dress 
parade from the fields of war. It was an hour 
when the whole city was at the chariot wheel 
of the institution, for it was the coronation of 
Odd Fellowship. It was like the home-coming 
of a hero from the achivements that made him 
famous and honored among the nations of the 
world. 

Baltimore, the birthplace of American Odd 
Fellowship, has been the home or headquarters 
of the Order. It was a source of much pleasure 
to be permitted to enter the headquarters and 
have access to the different rituals written on 
American Odd Fellowship. Probably the great- 
est pleasure was had in handling and reading 
the first ritual written by Thomas Wildey him- 
self, who was the author and founder of the 
American branch. A rare treat it was to be per- 
mitted to study the customs of opening and clos- 
ing a lodge, the obligations that were imposed 
upon the candidates and the lectures given in 
the progress of the candidate from the outer door 
through the initiatory ceremony and the five de- 
grees to the final charge when he was declared 
a full-fledged Odd Fellow. 

Washington Lodge No. 1 had long since been 
moved from the room of its nativity and had 
been tossed here and there. After much tribula- 
tion and many vicissitudes this lodge became 




One View of the Grand Parade, September 17th, 
1901, Indianapolis, Indiana. 



Lecture Addresses 263 

housed in a beautiful modern temple. It was 
our pleasure to visit this mother lodge in regu- 
lar session. Here within the walls of this lodge 
room crowded the visions of days gone by from 
that memorable meeting nearly a century ago 
when this mother lodge was instituted to this 
hour we were enjoying. How often had our 
thoughts dwelt upon these things with which 
this lodge had to do and which came as the re- 
sult of the life's blood put in Odd Fellowship 
out from the very veins of this lodge. We loved 
universal Odd Fellowship, but we did honor the 
heroic sacrifices and exalted deeds wrought by 
the members of this lodge. Would you not hon- 
or the feeling that if we had our membership 
in this lodge we would have left it there forever?' 
I think you would. All hail to the mother lodge 
of Odd Fellowship. 

It would be in order for me to mention some 
of the points of interest, especially so, to the 
Odd Fellow. If you were permitted to ask you 
would say for us to tell more about the birthplace 
of the Order. Go with us down on South Water 
Street to the old Seven Stars Inn and look with 
us at the place. We enter the open door and to 
the left is a stairway. We ascend here and when 
we reach the top we face about and ascend the 
second flight. Here on the third floor we enter 
a door and stand on the threshold of the room 
where American Odd Fellowship was born. It 
is a room 20 feet by 12 feet with a ceiling only 7 



264 The Beacon TAght 

feet high. The walls were not plastered. Two 
small windows were in the south end and one in 
the west side. Not a very imposing -or stately 
room is this, but here is where American Odd 
Fellowship was born. Many a great institution 
had a very humble origin, and that is the case 
witli the Independent Order- of Odd Fellows. It 
was our privilege to cut out with a chisel a piece 
of brick from these historic walls, and we are in 
possession of it today. 

One day we passed down North Broadway. 
and standing out before us was a stately monu- 
ment. Approaching, we studied it, for it was 
not of late design, but nevertheless attractive. 
Looking toward the North we saw this monu- 
ment at its best. There it stood fifty feet high 
and upon the top was a statue of a widow with 
one orphan in her left arm and her right hand 
resting upon the head of another, a lad, stand- 
ing- by her side. Methinks T read their thoughts 
and know that they are meditating upon their 
loneliness in the world. There she is a vision of 
life's real experiences. Looking upon this vis 
ion the moaning of the Sovereign Grand Lodge 
seal comes to us with greater force than over be- 
fore, for does it not command us to "visit the sick, 
relieve the distressed, bury the dead and educate 
the orphan?" It would be nothing less than rob- 
bery not to give you the next greatest thing 
taught on this monument. It is the inscription 
"Re who realizes that the true mission of man 



Lecture Addresses 2G5 

on earth is to rise above the level of individual 
influence and recognize the Fatherhood of God 
over all and the brotherhood of man is nature's 
true nobleman. ,? That sentiment pictured the 
life of this great man in whose honor this monu- 
ment was erected — Thomas Wildey. 

One very beautiful day it was our privilege 
to walk from our rooms toward a beautiful park. 
Everything seemed to lend a charm to everything 
else that September day. It was a very impres- 
sive hour to us. We entered the park and pass- 
ed beneath its trees and along its well groomed 
walks, stepping ever and anon on the grass. 
Finally before us there appeared a beautiful 
marble shaft, four square it was, towering 
toward the sky. Situated upon an elevation, it 
commanded the thought and admiration of all 
who came to that part of the park. Resting upon 
a firm base, it rises with designs and emblems 
decorating the surface and greeting the eyes of 
the onlooking multitudes. There at the base is 
the emblem — the three links, there the words. 
"Friendship, Love and Truth/' there are the let- 
ters I. O. O. F. and there toward the top the seal 
of the Order of Odd Fellows. We read and there 
came to our hearts the first gleam of the man's 
greatness by this shaft commemorated. 

"Half a century contains the record of his 
labors for the human race." 

"Not marble, nor brass can be as enduring 
a monument as the memory of his name, and his 



266 The Beacon Light 

deeds. Grateful to his creator, faithful to his 
country, fraternal to his fellow men. Such a. 
life elevates and exalts human nature." 

We stood before the monument dedicated to 
the memory of James L. Kidgely, the scholarly 
gentleman who for over forty consecutive years 
served the Independent Order of Odd Fellows as 
Grand Secretary. That was the time of the 
youth of the Order and its formative period. 
For years he had walked with Thomas Wildey. 
and together they had labored for the Order and 
for humanity. Upon the top of that beautifully 
constructed and designed marble in Harlan 
Park, Baltimore, stands the statue of Eidgely, 
and from its height of over 35 feet it invites men 
to a life of unselfishness and great usefulness. 
We are not surprised to know how proud the 
citizens of Baltimore who are not members of 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, are of 
these two monuments and the men thus com- 
memorated. Odd Fellowship seems to> be respec- 
ted in a special way in that city that furnished 
these two men for immortality. Desiring to visit 
the graves of these two illustrious men of the 
Order, we boarded an electric car, and after rid- 
ing ten miles through the city and out to the 
edge of the woodland, we found ourselves at the 
entrance to Greenmount cemetery. As we passed 
through the gates we viewed the beautiful land- 
scape covered with pine and cedars and lying 
beneath a cloudless sky. We were possessed with 



Lecture Addresses 267 

a feeling of deep solemnity as we entered this city 
of the dead, and walked among the graves of so 
many who were sleeping their last sleep and 
were waiting the resurrection morn. We could 
not conceive of a more beautiful place to rest 
and to await the coming of the Lord of Hosts 
than at Greenmount cemetery. 

In a little while we stood at the grave of 
James L. Kidgley. A modest stone marks the 
place where rests his dust. Here lies the man 
who largely framed the old ritual of the Order. 
About sixty years ago he wrote the Past Grand's 
Charge, and though the ritual has been changed 
and revised four times since that time, yet not 
one word has been taken from or added to this 
charge. When the revision came which changed 
the five degrees into three degrees, many charges 
were cut out, and all of them more or less revis- 
ed except the Past Grand's charge. The commit- 
tee of revision said it could not be improved on. 
We believe Mr. Kidgely was right when he gave 
it as his opinion that Odd Fellowship was "pro- 
gressive in its character." In speaking of the 
pure principle of the Order, he has beautifully 
said that "it stills the storm and soothes the 
spirit of passion, and directs in harmony man's 
united efforts to fraternize the world." Again, 
we hear him speak through the silence of the 
years, "learn now and forever, that you cannot 
become an Odd Fellow, in spirit and truth, un- 
less you are grateful to your Creator, faithful to 



268 The Beacon Light 

your country, and fraternal to your fellowman." 
No more profound wisdom has been uttered than 
that, and it will be well for us all to listen to the 
hlessage of the ages. Likewise we are taught the 
necessity to "war against vice in all its forms, 
and that friendship toward man prompts the 
contest, the gentle influence of love supplies the 
weapons, truth consecrates the efforts and leads 
to victory." Do you wonder that as we stood by 
the grave of this man who yet speaks through 
his life and deeds we were conscious of his great- 
ness and kingliness? 

As we drew near the Wildey grave, we 
walked with light step as it were, lest we disturb 
the sleeper. Not a word was spoken between my 
friend and myself. We walked around the spot 
and viewed the grave, green matted these years. 
We noted the very unassuming monument that 
marked the grave of this genius of philanthro- 
phy. Mr. Wildey died in 1861, having lived 42 
years after the organization of the first lodge, 
and having enjoyed many rewards of his labors. 
As we read the inscription on this stone con- 
cerning Thomas Wildey, the founder and author 
of American Odd Fellowship, we felt as if we 
had a right to say here lies a great and illustri- 
ous man, out of whose broad brain and conse- 
crated heart sprang almost full grown the angel 
of Odd Fellowship, which has been a benediction 
to tens of thousands of noble hearts. Thomas 
Wildey's body lies mouldering in the grave, but 



Lecture Addresses 269 

his spirit goes marching on, even though his 
soul is with the God who gave it. Odd Fellow- 
ship teaches the immortality of the soul. In our 
Order we sing 

"In our li carts enshrined and cherished, 

May these feelings ever bloom; 

Failing not, when life has perished, 

Living still beyond the tomb." 
When we sing these inspiring words we feel that 
we know "if our earthly house of this tabernacle 
be dissolved, Ave have a building not made with 
hands, eternal in the heavens." There can not be 
death, for is not the poet right 
''There is no death, what seems so is transition. 

This life of mortal breath 
Is but a suburb of the life Elysian, 

Whose portal we call death." 
And again we read 

"The stars go down to rise upon some fairer 

shore. 
And bright in Heaven's jeweled, crown they 
shin e fore verm ore." 

Thomas Wildey lives out yonder but he also 
lives here. Though untold sacrifices, placed upon 
the altar of brotherly love have produced great 
results, none have been made of greater measure 
of self-denunciation and self-forgetfulness than 
what was made by Thomas Wildey. It was his 
hand that wielded the ax that blazed the trail 
through the forest of human selfishness to the 
citadel of fraternity. What has been the result, 



270 The Beacon Light 

you ask. Homes have been saved, families have 
been united, loyal hearts have been inspired by 
kindred ambitions, friendships have- been ce- 
mented, loves have been born and truth has been 
the sentinel to peace and happiness all these 
years. This soil around this grave has most cer- 
tainly been consecrated by the dust of Thomas 
Wildey. Do you wonder that we would tread 
softly and fervently, thinking what God had 
wrought through one humble craftsman lying 
here? The memory of this man, the birth place 
of the Order, still lingers with us. We have taken 
our farewell to that old lodge room, and never 
again shall we stand within her walls, but still 
memory stays, and the mind weaves its spell 
and through the mind's eye we see farther than 
our mortal vision saw. Thus we see once more 
those naked walls, and that room now peopled 
with live men holding council together relative 
to the organization of the first lodge ; and before 
the leader had administered the obligation to 
the four other brethren, he first placed his own 
right hand upon the Bible, and said : "With you, 
brethren, I do solemnly swear to keep sacred 
these principles," and then kneeling with hum- 
ble reverence he kissed the holy book. It was 
thus upon the sacred scriptures that the pledges 
of fidelity were taken, each believing them to be 
the source of all our principles and teachings. 
That was the planting of American Odd Fellow- 
ship upon the shores of our beloved land, the 



Lecture Addresses 271 

greatest country under the shining sun — free 
America ! Somehow I seem to see now the influ- 
ences of that little meeting spread throughout 
this country and the world, blessing the world, 
inspiring the hearts of men, until now the cheer- 
ful odes of our Order are sung by more than 
fourteen hundred thousand Odd Fellows and four 
hundred thousand ladies of the Degree of Re- 
bekah, and with this great army of earnest, in- 
telligent and capable Samaritans, who with con- 
secrated hearts and willing hands are visiting 
the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the 
dead and caring for the helpless and the orphan, 
the future of our Order is secure. 

In conclusion let me say that it is not only 
our mission to relieve from the bitter pangs of 
want, sickness and disabilities, but it isj our 
privilege and duty to prevent as far as possible 
the miseries which continually afflict our race 
by erecting a wall of defense around humanity. 
In view of this fact the Order is now supporting 
thirty-eight homes for the aged Odd Fellows, 
their widows and orphans, is spending about 
five millions per annum for relief alone and is 
teaching these thousands the privilege of living 
a life of greatest joy and delight in living for 
the principles of Friendship, Love and Truth. It 
seems to me we are just like the rising sun, 
peeping over the Eastern hills. We have not 
reached our meridian height, but only the third 
hour of the day. What will we be in another 



272 The Beacon Light 

decadq With this great prosperity as a basis 
for this grandest of human organizations, clutch- 
ing at the skirts of the divine — an organization 
whose mission is to visit the sick, relieve the dis- 
tressed, bury the dead and educate the orphan? 
Here in this place in Baltimore, God breathed 
his breath of holy desire in a humble mechanic 
and made him great. All hail to the birthplace 
of American Odd Fellowship. 



Odd Fellowship is Universal Brotherhood 

During the eighty-six years of continued 
prosperity, American Odd Fellowship has had 
no conflict with any other society, either relig- 
ious, political, or fraternal. Conflicts and con- 
tentions belong to other tribunals than ours, for 
we believe that our highest duty is to be mani- 
fested in two fields, toward God and toward our 
fellow man. He who puts himself in the position 
to be unjust, and contend with either God or 
man, has little if any time for those higher and 
more refining occupations, such as to visit the 
sick, to reliere the distressed, to bury the dead, 
to care for the widow and the orphan, and as far 
as possible to dispense charity to all mankind in 
need. Our Order lias chosen the better part, and 
has busied herself in these duties that bring out 
the diviner attributes and furnish true finesse 
He who loves God and his fellowmen and proves 
his sincerity by his good acts is a blessing to his 



Lecture A ddresses 273 

race. He who thus lives lives well, and it is 
true he has purposed well 

"To make his deed the measure of a man." 

From the time Cain slew his brother Abel, 
man has been dependent upon his fellow man for 
succor. The hand of man has been raised 
against himself. In his hours of darkness and 
trouble he needs a friendly face and ready hand 
to cheer and comfort him. How brief is his so- 
journe3 T ing- here. How rapidly are his days 
spent, and how quickly they fly by, and ere he is 
aware of it he reaches "that bourne from whence 
no traveler returns." In his brief journey if he 
gets the richest and best returns he needs a va- 
ried experience, and hence must needs be comfort- 
ed as well as admonished. Man comes upon the 
scene of life full of confidence and hope; he 
achieves, he advances, he matures and he flour- 
ishes, but the morning of life passes, and the 
heat of the mid-day sun affects him, and soon ev- 
idences of lagging are seen ; he droops, his cour- 
age, confidence and hope are gone, he declines, 
and soon he gathers his feet under him and dies. 
However, if he is observant he will profit much 
by the lessons of life, and "it will be light at 
eventide." One of these lessons will teach him 
that the good man will never be forsaken of his 
God, and even his children will enter into an in- 
heritance because of his virtues. A wise man 
once said. 

"I hare been yoiwig, and now am old; yet 



274 The Beacon Light 

have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his 
seed begging bread." 

There is a worthy axiom that we should well 
learn. It is this. "He who would have friends 
must first show himself friendly." Are we Odd 
Fellows after all today not like children sitting 
at the feet of an old man upon whose face we 
love to look. We all have heard tell of the life 
he has lived and the lessons he has taught. As 
we see him now we see the form and beauty of 
youth combined with the honor of age. He tells 
us that although aged, and that eighty-seven 
years having come and gone, yet the righteous 
are not forsaken, nor his children vagabonds. He 
exhorts us to follow the motto of his conduct, 
and not forget that "in the practice of Friend- 
ship, Love and Truth are found the best safe- 
guards against the ills of life." This truth needs 
the fertile soil of constant thought for its rich- 
est fruits. 

American Odd Fellowship is "progressive in 
its character." This Order was the first fraternal 
body of America to pay weekly benefits to a sick 
brother, furnish him watchers to nurse him dur- 
ing sickness and disability' or pay funeral bene- 
fits. Odd Fellowship was among the first to 
form a procession to follow the silent sleeper to 
the city of the dead and there extend the last 
honors man can extend to mortal kind. It was 
the very first American Order to formulate a de- 
gree to admit the noble women of our land to the 



Lecture Addresses 275 

Lodge room and bid them share with the broth- 
ers their benevolence and charity. 

Nearly a century has come and gone since 
American Odd Fellowship saw the light of life. 
These years have been wonderful years. Almost 
from the first, favor, glory and fame were her 
splendid adornment. Like a young eagle she 
soared to lofty heights and soon was accustomed 
to almost every climate, from the frigid north to 
the sunny south, and those who dwell between the 
Castle Garden and the Golden Gate knew her 
well and welcomed her in her victorious yet be- 
nevolent passing. The sublime teachings and 
practices of this Order have extended to almost 
every town and hamlet, as well as weaving a 
veritable network of heroic achievements in every 
large city under the star spangled banner, and 
as the songs of American independence are sung 
all over the land, and across the seas, so are the 
odes of this magnificent institution sung by the 
brethren of thirteen hundred thousand lodges, 
and by sisters of four thousand lodges of the 
Eebekah Degree. What a mighty choir it is, yet 
nothing more than what such an institution de- 
serves and will maintain through the years. We 
claim for our sisters the right to be called the 
noblest women of America, and for the branch 
of the Order that it is not only like the beautiful 
rose of Sharon, but that it is the beautiful 
flower of Odd Felloship. Rebekahism does not 
droop its head in sunshine or in rain, but re- 



27(> The Beacon Light 

ceives alike the bestowments of the sky and ever 
turns its face toward that which gives life, light, 
hope, cheer and hearty good will. 

,r fis well that we stop a moment at the men- 
tion of this degree to give honor to him who gave 
it his heart's blood. The name of that grand old 
patriarch, Schuyler Colfax, will long be hon- 
ored — as long as the needle points toward the 
North Pole, and the waters seek the great deep. 
For with his name is united indissolubly the 
history of tin 1 most sublime degree of Odd Fellow- 
ship — The Degree of Rebekah. To him is ascribed 
the authorship of this beautiful degree, which is 
bearing with it a fame which outstretches the 
fame of many famous men. He it was who stood 
alone for a time, and urged upon the thought 
and attention of the highest body of Odd Fel- 
lows, with all the skill of his great mind and 
emotions of his great heart, the unparalleled 
value of the association of Odd Fellows of this 
great world with their wives, daughters and sis- 
ters, in a great work of relieving distress, bear- 
ing burdens, strengthening the weak and build- 
ing up the fallen and unfortunate of human kind. 
We do well to honor him. 

However Ave do not need to stop to argue 
the wisdom of this branch of Odd Fellowship. 
From somewhere out of this movement came a 
mighty impulse, for there has been a great ad- 
vancement in every department of our Order 
since the establishment of the Rebekah Degree. 



Lecture Addresses 277 

This alone demonstrates the utility of this de- 
gree. The stimulation and strength received 
since the adoption of the degree, and the fruit- 
age resulting from the association of our wives, 
daughters and sisters in the work of charity and 
benevolence with us have become a great source 
of happiness and rejoicing in Odd Fellowship, 
even unto the third and fourth generations of 
them. Those who at the time of the advancement 
of our Order to the high position of admitting 
women to fellowship with us in deeds of mercy, 
believed that women had no rights on earth that 
men, the lords of creation, were bound to re- 
spect, have either passed beyond the river of 
death or been converted to the inevitable by the 
spirit of the age, and upon mature judgment de- 
clared a change of heart as well as mind. As 
time glides merrily on education and intelligence 
drive out prejudice, and the beauty and gran- 
duer of this degree become more thoroughly ap- 
preciated and understood. Woman, from her 
untiring labors of love and missions of mercy, 
has rapidly improved the character and condi- 
tions of humanity. The touch of a womanly 
hand has instilled into the life of the age the 
very essence of refinement and devotion to the 
highest and best. 

We rejoice today over the rapid growth and 
marvelous advancement of our Order among the 
civilized nations of the earth. We see lodge 
after lodge and jurisdiction after jurisdiction 



278 The Beacon Light 

testing the excellencies of Odd Fellowship. The 
increase in numerical strength and the rapid 
spread to almost every locality in the land is not 
so much a cause for rejoicing among the breth- 
ren who wear the triple chain and who hail 
that splendid motto "Friendship, Love and 
Truth," as the fact that thirteen hundred thous- 
and Odd Fellows and four hundred thousand Re- 
bekah Degree lodges with the hearts and hands 
for the membership are industriously devoted to 
visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, bury- 
ing the dead and educating the orphan. This 
vast army is more inspiring at work in it chos- 
en field of campaign than in camp sitting 
around and feasting. We are convinced as we 
remember and see these practical lessons of the 
past and the present still fresh in our experi- 
ence that Odd Fellowship is an evidence of man's 
divine origin and that the germ of universal 
brotherhood will express itself in deeds of devo- 
tion and love. 

With this great army of earnest, intelligent 
and capable Good Samaritans whose consecrated 
hearts and willing hands are fully imbued with 
the spirit of charity and love, the future of our 
Order is secure. These are auspicious times in 
the life and history of Odd Fellowship. Because 
of the growing demands upon this institution, 
broader and more comprehensive plans for the 
distribution of the charities and work of relief 
must soon be devised, inaugurated and perfected. 



Lecture Addresses 279 

Not only is it our mission to relieve from the 
bitter pains of want, but to prevent, as far as 
posible, the miseries that continually afflict 
our race. He who makes it impossible for suffer- 
ing to come to man is by far greater in his devo- 
tion than he who permits suffering and then re- 
lieves him who is in pain. Our mission therefore 
is two-fold in its relation to our vast brother- 
hood. We are to relieve all suffering, but like- 
wise we are to prevent suffering if it is in our 
power. We as an Order draw, as it were, from 
the tiny ant that toils in the summer's sunshine 
to lay up in store for the barren and cheerless 
winter, lessons of industry, frugality and econ- 
omy which we inculcate by our teachings and 
practices. The Beehive is another emblem of as- 
sociated industry, vigilance and self-absorption 
in the general good. Likewise we are taught by 
the divine Son of God the lessons of humanity 
and universal brotherhood. Having come from 
the hand, heart and essence of a common parent, 
we are bound to cherish and protect our fellow- 
men of whatever race, condition or service in 
all the world. 

. Our fathers were wise in establishing a 
sick-benefit and making it compulsory to the rich 
and the poor alike. An Odd Fellow drawing 
these benefits that are provided by our laws and 
usages is not made to feel that he is classed as 
ah object of charity. Likewise when sickness 
comes to our homes with it comes the cheerino; 



280 . The Beacon Light 

thought which is ever pressed upon our minds, 
that we do not suffer in solitude and alone. For 
we know from the teachings and practices of our 
Order that the sympathetic chord which vibrates 
in the hearts and affections of all true Odd Fel- 
lows is ever vibrating for us and that we are pre- 
cious to a vast brotherhood whose empire touches 
the skirts of God. In our own chamber we can 
hear as it were the Noble Grand of our lodge 
calling for reports of all brothers Avho may be 
sick or in distress. We seem to see the approach 
of brothers who have been detailed to watch at 
our bedsides and to relieve the burdened loved 
one from the anxious cares and arduous duties 
crowded upon her in watching over and caring 
for one who perhaps in the prime of life and 
in the full realization of his powers has been 
stricken by the paralyzing hand of disease. In 
youth we prepare for old age and in health Ave 
strive to make provision for our protection 
against the ills of life and the ravages of time. 
Disaster may come, but death will. All that 
live must die. 

Friendship, Love and Truth practiced by 
man toward his fellowman would make a para- 
dise of this earth. Then indeed would be true 
the saying of the seer who with prophetic vision 
saw a time when 

No ardent warriors inert with hateful ci/r.s; 
No more would nation against nation rise; 



Lecture Addresses 281 

Nor fields with gleaming steel be covered o'er; 
The brazen trumpet kindle rage no more" 

We are taught sublimer lessons than that 
which is taught by strife or fields of carnage. 
Death will not satisfy the lover of humanity. 
Life, and that an abundant life, alone will do 
this. Do you wonder then that as Odd Fellows 
we are taught to war against vice in all its 
forms? "Friendship toward man prompts the 
contest, Love's gentle influences supply the 
weapons and Truth consecrates the efforts and 
leads to victory." This is the only safeguard 
against the ills of life. We must guard it well. 
7 Tis true man is not always to be taken for what 
he seems, but we must' judge men by their con- 
duct and not by their appearance or by their 
profession. 

Love is the greatest remedy for social evils. 
He who loves God and his fellowmen, and by his 
good acts proves his sincerity, is a blessing to 
his race. Odd Fellows, if they have learned well 
their lessons and do truly appreciate them must 
realize fully and forcibly that good conduct be- 
fore the world will secure the admiration and 
esteem of the wise and virtuous and good conduct 
before our own hearthstone will win the love 
and devotion of the members of the houshold 
and the approval of our own hearts. 

We should be honest with our neighbors by 
ever speaking well of them, and if we cannot 



282 The Beacon Light 

thus speak then we should hold our peace. The 
backbiter, the busybody and the calumniator 
cannot be men of good faith. They should be 
shunned as vipers. Shakespeare speaks wisely 
when he says 

"Good name in man or woman 

Is the immediate jewel of their soul. 

Who steals my purse, steals trash; 
But he that filches from me my good name, 

Robs me of that which not enriches him 

And makes me poor indeed." 

Our Order has advanced step by step in the 
face of all opposition, and the old prejudices 
that existed against secret societies had to give 
way before the unselfish and pure deeds of true 
Odd Fellowship. Those who saw that the cardi- 
nal principles of our Order were to relieve the 
distressed, bury the dead, educate the orphan, to 
elevate the character of man and to bring out 
those principles in his nature designed by the 
great author of his being were forced to extend 
to us the right hand of fellowship in this grand 
and glorious work. We now point with pride 
to the fact that we have the active co-operation 
of christian men, the gentle smile of women and 
the added propitiatory smile of our heavenly 
Father because we are at our tasks of love. En- 
couragement comes from every hand and al- 
ready bountiful manifestations are given to make 
our progress irresistible. We are not over-zeal- 
ous when we say that soon the three links will 



Lecture Addresses 283 

span the globe and the white banner of peace 
will float on every breeze, and on every shore and 
before every people. If so, brothers and sisters, 
should we not bid yon go forward until war is 
crushed at his own chariot wheel, until oppres- 
sion has a broken scepter, until tears are 
changed into smiles, until groans cease and we 
hear only benedictions, and "until one law shall 
bind all nations, tongues and kindreds of the 
earth, and that law will be the law of universal 
brotherhood." 



Lecture Addresses 

by 
Dr. B. M. Powell 



A Decadence in Odd Fellowship 

In every institution there is a probability of 
retrogression, either permanent or temporary. 
Theoretically it is beautiful to picture a steady 
growth and development from the very beginning 
that heralds a finely wrought system of evolu- 
tion. Nothing would please the scientist who ad- 
heres to that system of creation more completely 
than to find such an existence. But the thought- 
ful man has a right to question and he does. We 
ask ourselves whether this smooth, gradual and 
graceful development actually runs through the 
course of nature or not. I wonder if there is 
not a law of variance running through nature 
as well as a law that like produces like? I think 
so. Does not this law of variance allow that from 
a parent stalk may proceed a variety that is in- 
finitely or largely better and also from the same 
stalk a variety that is infinitely or largely less 
perfect? Most certainly these periods of retro- 
gression may follow the law of variance and be- 
cause of this law the inferior state or condition 
may seem to outweigh the superior state and 
former period. This fact is seen in all phases of 
life. If it were otherwise we would find the 
weak and inferior disappearing and the strong 

(287) 



288 The Beacon Light 

and superior becoming more and more so as time 
advances. This desirable condition, however, is 
only brought to pass by the exercising of the 
highest degree of intelligence in removing the 
inferior and cultivating the superior, by chang- 
ing conditions that deteriorate and by causing 
conditions that produce or are conducive for 
the highest to prevail in the order of being. This 
process is what is called civilization. As we ad- 
vance in power to bring this to pass we advance 
in civilization. 

I There are certain causes that deteriorate — 
That hinder the advance of any institution or life. 
The tiny babe comes into the home. If right en- 
vironments are produced that limp flesh will be- 
come a man, a mighty man may be, a man of 
great power who will shapen the world's history 
and reconstruct geography and change the lives 
of a million of men. If these environments are 
not produced then the tiny piece of flesh simply 
becomes a lump of clay and is trodden under 
foot of men and beasts. The plant life proves 
the same law. There are certain deadening ef- 
fects that when they are produced will reap the 
harvest of deterioration and decay. Refuse the 
plant sunshine or water or air and you have pro- 
nounced the death sentence upon it. Yes, you 
have done more than that for you have already 
signed the death warrant, prepared the scaffold, 
adjusted the black cap, given the signal and 
sprung the death trap. There is no chance for a 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 289 

reprieve or pardon. The fatal act lias been com- 
mitted. The same truth is demonstrated in 
changing the locality of plant or animal life. 
Take your hardiest animal or plant from the 
tropics and transfer or transplant the same in 
the frigid zone and you have alreiady passed 
judgment upon life, Its end will either be a lin- 
gering life of deformity . or sudden extinction. 
Take the brilliant plumage of the south and in 
the north it fades out to the common dull colors. 
The animal life that has found its congenial 
clime amid the snow and ice of Alaska will 
never reach its highest development in the midst 
of the palms, the cocoanut, the oranges or along 
the swamps in Florida. What wonderful wis- 
dom God has wrought in his plans of n f e and 
development ! 

Brotherhood demands a certain atmosphere 
and climate for its highest development as well 
as plant life. The spirit of fraternity insists up- 
on things, thoughts, loves, hopes and passions 
in common among men, When the intensity of 
multiplied interests increases among men and 
these points of interest intricately overlap and 
intersect each other then brotherly love can 
reach toward its ideal.. When man is at variance 
with his brother man fraternity cannot exist. 
When one class of men is arraigned against an- 
other class of men, when one section of the coun- 
try is up in arms against another section; when 
one body of men is diametrically opposed to the 



290 The Beacon Light 

deified ideal of another body of men, then fra- 
ternity can never be exercised between them. 
Brotherhood can receive its northern blasts. Odd 
Fellowship met her heaviest frost during the 
civil war in the years of 1861 to 1864. What a 
dreadful disease to brotherhood it was ! America 1 
never experienced such a fearful time as existed 
during the war of the rebellion when the brothers 
of the south and brothers of the north were op- 
posed to each other upon the battle field. Here 
met those in whom the blue blood of all sections 
of the country flowed, to enforce their convic- 
tions, honestly held, upon each other. It was 
the struggle of the best men on both sides— it 
was a battle between the princes of the land. 
Magnificent you say? Yes it was but it was bru- 
tal nevertheless and it slew the beautiful angel 
of brotherhood. Fraternity was wounded to the 
death and was lying in the dust by the wayside. 
It was a tragically tragic hour. 

In 1860 the Sovereign Grand Lodge met in 
annual session in the City of Nashville, Tenn., 
on the 10th of September with a full representa- 
tion. The summary of the reports as to the con- 
dition of the order was most flattering and show- 
ed the following: 39 Grand Lodges, 3547 Sub- 
ordinate Lodges with 173,818 members; 29 
Grand Encampments; 671 Subordinate Encamp- 
ments with 23,674 members. There was a total 
revenue of $1,270,904. The Grand Sire in his re- 
port to the grand representatives at this session 
said : 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 291 

"It is a fact worthy of special notice that 
amid the convulsions and distractions which, at 
times, disturb our political systems, and, 
while other organizations have been rent asun- 
der, the integrity of our order remains unimpair- 
ed and unthreatened. A fact which at once dis- 
plays a continued fidelity to its high mission 
and the extent and solidity of the foundations 
upon which it is based." 

In 1861 the annual session was held in Bal- 
timore on the 16th day of September. The Civil 
war had come. Six officers and sixty-six repre- 
sentatives were present. The thirty seats allotted 
to Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, South 
Carolina, Texas, Florida, Arkansas, Alabama, 
Louisiana and Georgia were vacant. Deputy 
Grand Sire Herndon, of Indiana, presided and 
in his address to the Sovereign body said. 

"Representatives and Brothers : The circum- 
stances that surround us at this time are unpar- 
alleled in our history. Heretofore, the represen- 
tatives of our beloved order have annually con- 
vened, always under the most favorable auspices. 
Heretofore, representatives when they met, uni- 
formly congratulated each other upon the great 
success and growth of Odd Fellowship. 

"What a terrible change a few months have 
wrought ! Civil war with all its attendant evils 
has been inaugurated in our once happy coun- 
try. While we act the part of good citizens we 
may pour oil upon the. troubled waters, and al- 



292 The Beacon Light 

leviate in some degree the suffering incident to 
this unnatural strife." 

The reports were incomplete and the records 
showed that over six hundred Subordinate 
Lodges had failed to report and over one hund- 
red Subordinate Encampments fell in the same 
catalogue; that the total revenues had declined 
over three-fourths, to nearly $300,000. At this 
session resolutions were adopted that set forth 
the real spirit and life of the order that had 
something in its wide distribution to remedy 
matters. The heart of it is found in this para- 
graph : 

"That it is the duty of every good Odd Fel- 
low, at all times, so to act, so to speak, that his 
Avords and deeds may give not just cause of of- 
fense to those whom circumstances have, for the 
time being, cut off from friendly and social in- 
tercourse with us." 

In 1862 the annual session of the Sovereign 
Grand Lodge was held again in Baltimore on 
15th day of September. All the jurisdictions 
were represented save twelve, those named above 
with one more — Vermont. Six officers and sixty 
representatives were present. The presiding 
officer, Deputy Grand Sire Herndon, in his re- 
port says : 

"Of the unhappy condition of our beloved 
country it will not be considered expedient that 
I speak in this report; but I may be permitted 
to express the hope that the gentle influences of 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 293 

peace will soon be vouchsafed us, and the period 

of which prophets have spoken and poets have 
sung is not far distant, when the God of Jacob 
will judge among the people and rebuke strong- 
nations; and they shall beat their swords into 
ploughshares and their spears into pruning 
hooks; nation shall not lift up a SAVord against 
natioD, neither shall they learn war any more." 

The summary of the year showed the order 
to be a little weaker than the previous year. The 
next two years the order continued to decline un- 
til over 1100 Subordinate Lodges and over 200 
Subordinate Encampments had disappeared. 
The order had become depleted over 40,000 in 
subordinate membership and over 6,000 in en- 
campment membership. During the Civil war 
in those states where the strife was the sharpest 
there the order suffered the most. For five years 
— from 1861 to 1865, no reports were received 
from Texas, South Carolina, Alabama, North 
Carolina, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and 
Virginia, In these states the number of lodges 
had decreased from one-half to one-fifth of their 
former numerical strength and the membership 
was diminished from fifty per cent to thirty per 
cent of former membership. Louisiana and 
Georgia gave no reports for four years and simi- 
lar results took place in the suspension of char- 
ters and decrease in membership. 

It is thus seen that the paralysis caused by 
war in the realms of Odd Fellowship was tre- 



294 The Beacon Light 

mendous and far more extended in its reach 
than at first could be imagined. The clouds of 
war had disappeared, but the fearful ravages 
could be seen yet and it required several years 
before even the semblance of former brotherli- 
ness and kindness existed. It required time to 
get even a complete report of what had been 
wrought by Avar. However, we need to bear in 
mind this fact also that other institutions had 
succumbed to the hardships of war, but Odd Fel- 
lowship was still in the hearts of men. Never 
did a year pass but that the Sovereign Grand 
Lodge held its annual session. It was like a 
ship in the trough of the sea, 'tis true and some- 
times it looked like it was about to be SAvallowed 
up. That was only appearance, for the ship was 
sound and true and strong and ready to mount 
the waves proudly and ride the storms like a 
true mistress of events What throes must have 
been endured by that institution when brother 
raised his hand against brother, when every 
breath fraternity breathed would be ladened 
with a miasma that would bring disease and 
possible death, when every semblance of friend- 
ship was suspicious as only a disguise worn by 
a spy to gain some end in behalf of one's ene- 
mies. Only the true could survive such a storm. 
It was an extraordinary fight for life. The rav- 
ages of war would be expected to leave their 
mark upon the fair countenance of the order and 
they did, but the wonder was that the order did 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 295 

not receive its death wound. It was the sur- 
vival of the fittest. 

The changes of time have brought a recon- 
structed Odd Fellowship. Whether this new 
and reconstructed Odd Fellowship is better than 
the former is a question history alone can tell. 
We can hold the garments of this hour before 
our most careful scrutiny and test their very 
texture. It is our right to know everything of 
the hour in which we live if we will. It is im- 
perative that we dig deep if we secure the most 
precious metals. 

"A little learning is a dangerous thing, 
Brink deep or touch not the pierian spring; 
A shallow draught intoxicates the brain, 
But drinking largely sobers us again/' 
This same philosophy is profoundly true 
when applied to a local lodge. If you desire to 
produce a most healthful spirit of fraternity 
you must bring about right environments, you 
must let the sunshine of congeniality and per- 
fect harmony in. There must not be any un- 
healthy atmosphere breathed or destructive ri- 
valries entered into. This is imperative. Nothing 
will kill a local lodge so quickly and complete- 
ly as strife, jealousy, malice, party spirt and 
individual hates, personal gratifications to 
the detriment of the Order, one pitted against 
another and the thousand little things which 
are too small for a great heart and soul to stoop 

This 



296 The Beacon Light 

soundest of philosophy so general in affairs of 
God and man can be onr gateway for the great- 
est order under the sun, an order whose adher- 
ents never see the gathering of the night but be- 
hold one continuous full noontime brightness 
and beaut v. 



The Reconstruction of Odd Fellowship 

The period of reconstruction is not always 
the time of the greatest amount of sunshine. He 
who has followed the reconstruction period of 
the South will well remember that some of the 
most atrocious crimes were committed under the 
guise of law and of rights. It was a time when 
the true man could do much to bring about a 
happier time and more healthful atmosphere, but 
it was a time also when the villain and the scoun- 
drel could act with impunity and without any 
dread outrage the most sacred things of life and 
fireside. We also find some things that are not 
very pleasant in the Reconstruction of Odd Fel- 
lowship. There were difficulties that must be 
overcome, eliminated or subjugated. How well 
this was done is proof of the thoroughness of the 
reconstruction. We well recognize the fact that 
sometimes, if the rent is very great, it is equally 
as hard to gather the tattered edges and mend so 
as to make a respectable garment as it would be 
to weave the entire cloth and construct from it 
the garment. Will you not agree with me that 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 297 

the skill of the workman is more thoroughly test- 
ed in the mending of a bad rent than in making 
the new garment? A slight damage is soon and 
easily remedied and atoned for, but a severe one 
always demands the most from any one, the best 
he can give of power and skill. That surgeon is 
a master who so unites the lacerated flesh that 
when the healing has been completed there is no 
scar to tell of former pain. That carpenter is a 
master who joins the wood so closely that the 
united parts look like one solid piece. Such 
union evinces the genius. 

Art is manifested by paint and brush when 
that which is put on the canvas is an exact re- 
production and counter-part of what is in nature. 
One day a gentleman was standing in the rotun- 
da of the Auditorium in Chicago looking at that 
famous picture painted by a skilled Illinois art- 
ist representing an old-fashioned corn crib with 
corn in it. While he was enjoying the picture 
some one asked which were the real ears of corn 
and which were representation. Looking, he saw 
that all were apparently alike, so he asked him- 
self the question if any were real ears and if it 
was not all a painting. Approaching very near 
the picture he discovered what he thought must 
be real ears of corn to be the work of the brush, 
and what he thought might be representation to 
be real ears of corn. That was real art. I hold 
up my hand and lift my hat to the artist, the real 
artist, in every avenue of legitimate action. So 



298 The Beacon Light 

the true artist of reconstruction is that one who 
so unites the ragged edges caused by contentions 
and clash of antagonistic opinions and views that 
no evidences of the rent remain. Turn the pages 
of the present conditions of Odd Fellowship and 
see the work and the workmanship. 

Let us look at this fact a moment. A severe 
rent had been made in the Order. The ragged 
edges were everywhere manifesting their frayed 
conditions almost defying the most skilled work- 
manship. This condition was in the Northland 
as well as in the Southland. The blue hills of 
Vermont felt the severing and destroying power 
as well as the cotton fields of Louisiana. In both 
sections lodges disappeared and memberships de- 
creased, relief was not tendered and moneys 
were not contributed or used in the needs of Odd 
Fellows and their families. Some states witness- 
ed less of this eruptive power than others. Som$ 
in both the North and the South seemed to al- 
most wholly escape. Those districts, which were 
farthest removed from the scenes of war seemed 
to suffer the least. Probably California stood 
the civil strife the best. In other states we find 
that though reports were hindered for a few 
years, when they were rendered the Order had 
very heroically either held its own or speedily re- 
gained the lost territory. In this last list we 
might mention Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Arkan- 
sas, Missouri, as well as others. Only the most 
careful study will portray the masterliness ex- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 299 

ercised through the power of the spirit of fra- 
ternity in adjusting things to the new conditions 
and new life as left by our late unpleasantness. 
These were masters with a seer's vision, a proph- 
et's insight, a statesman's wisdom and a genius' 
skill. 

No one can fully understand the devastat- 
ing influences of an appeal to arms, who has not 
lived through the strife-born hour. The rising 
generation never can understand the price paid 
both by the North and by the South for con- 
science sake at the bar of war. Each believing 
himself to be right, both ministry and laity sin- 
cerely supported their respective claims from 
Holy Writ and from what they called flawless 
logic, the fiercest battles were fought. Of course 
two conflicting and antagonistic views could not 
be right. One was wrong and the other was right, 
yet in the face of this fact both sides believed in 
the righteousness and justice of their claims and 
borne on the Avings of such a power of inspira- 
tion and hope the hottest contest inevitably took 
place between those nurtured at the same breast. 
It was a battle of the bluest blood. 

The South looked upon the rights of the 
states to declare their opinion to such an extent 
that they could withdraw from the Union and be 
independent at any time. The North looked up- 
on the supremacy of the Union over and above all 
wishes of a single state, that in some questions 
only the Union as a strong central power could 



300 The Beacon Light 

decide. Upon this and this alone clashed the 
North and the South. These two positions were 
intensely antagonistic, they were diametrically 
opposed one to the other. Certain results fol- 
lowed, namely, the abolition of slavery in those 
states that were in arms against the Union. 
When crushed by defeat the South viewed their 
treatment as unjust and declared that their prop- 
erty was destroyed and appropriated by another 
or by the state, their rights disregarded and their 
happiness and safety jeopardized. They believ- 
ed that the colored people would bring a rule of 
injustice, decay, corruption, and immorality. 
The lives of some of the freedmen of the South 
by unwise and oftimes criminal conduct intensi- 
fied this feeling. When the large property own- 
ers found difficulty in managing the large 
plantations and in securing suitable laborers the 
forboding of these prophesied conditions appear- 
ed to be self-evident. We are not here to say 
whether these views were right or wrong, but 
they existed. Because they existed the spirit of 
fraternity was crushed where the effects and re- 
sults of armed conflict manifested themselves. To 
re-establish this spirit of fraternity was the task 
of the reconstructionist in Odd Fellowship. 

Upon what basis was this reconstruction ac- 
complished? Of course there had to be certain 
essential and abiding principles in the institution 
which were to be the foundation upon which to 
build, principles that were imperative to the high- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 301 

est life of man and society. These principles 
were found in Odd Fellowship. However, there 
must be an element that bound these fundamen- 
tals together so that the reconstruction could 
proceed and there was. That was hospitality in 
its purest form. In the sections of the nation 
where war ravaged the most, this uniting ele- 
ment existed more perfectly than in other sec- 
tions. Upon this foundation cemented by this 
essential element rested the frame-work of the 
new building. Hospitality bridged over the dan- . 
ger and spanned the otherwise impassible chasms 
and precipices and permitted the territory of 
true fraternity to be once more possessed. All 
hail to the nobility of hospitality! Well might 
every Odd Fellow stop a sufficient length of time 
to pay a tribute tQ this virtue, hospitality; to 
that virtue that has made possible one of the 
grandest achievements of brotherhood in all ages ; 
to that virtue that has preserved the wayfar- 
ing man as he journeys over life's desert-places, 
giving him refreshments where hungry and pro- 
tection where the storms of life are upon him; 
to that virtue that has opened the door for every 
thing of utility and beauty in the past or present. 
Happy is that home into which the traveler 
enters and finds a familiar fireside and at whose 
embers thaw the ice of reserve, of self-centered 
dignity and exclusiveness and that opens the 
door for the highest natures to be seen and to 
be made known. Yes, hospitality, the very foun- 



302 The Beacon Light 

elation of excellencies and the very cornice of 
beauty herself, the virtue that can be the common 
inheritance of all. 

Upon the foundation of Friendship, Love and 
Truth cemented together by the recognition of 
that common and universal Brotherhood of men 
as evidenced in hospitality was begun the true 
building of Odd Fellowship as we have it today 
in both the Xorth and the South. The authen- 
tic statistics tell us that a comx>lete report as to 
relief given was not accessible until in 1870 but 
the reports as to the number of Subordinate 
Lodges and Encampments and membership in 
each branch were so complete that as early as 
1868 a correct estimate of the strength of the 
Order was obtained. However, as soon as peace 
was declared between the Bine and the Gray, an 
upward impetus was experienced. As early as 
the summer of 1865 a large increase in the mem- 
bership of the Order was felt. The three years 
that were the golden years of reconstruction 
were from 1865 to 1868. In these years the Sub- 
ordinate Lodge membership increased over 35,000 
annually and the Encampment membership more 
than doubled itself. What wonderful years these 
were! There must have been mighty influ- 
ences at work, such as none can estimate. It 
was like building a beautiful city in a day. So 
swiftly moved the agencies of improvement that 
almost like an Aladdin lamp, the wish was the 
builder and the desire the realization of the 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 303 

dream. The result was gratifying and the spirit 
the spirit of truth. 

We must not be deceived about the localities 
where reconstruction was essential. It has been 
acknowledged that the scenes of the Civil war 
Avitnessed the greatest need for the re-establish- 
ment of the spirit of fraternity and the brother- 
hood of man, but, hear me, war had crippled the 
soul of fraternity almost everywhere. Even in 
New York state the number of lodges had been 
decreased over one-third. In Pennsylvania and 
Maryland the Order was weakened several thous- 
and in membership and a material decrease in 
the number of lodges. It was as late as 1870 be- 
fore we find the summary of the reports to foot 
up to equal or surpass the summary of the re- 
ports in 1860, just previous to the breaking out 
of the Civil war. Thus for ten years the Order 
was either in' the throes of civil strife or in the 
reconstruction period. How fortunate for the 
American people that the true spirit of the broth- 
erhood of man was no longer crushed, but so 
quickly assumed its rightful place and accom- 
plished its legitimate work among men. Like a 
storm-beaten field of grain when first wooed by 
the warm sunshine the crushed growing crops 
lifted their heads in hopeful, exuberant and re- 
newed life. 

Humanity can never, reach the highest or 
make the ideal a beautiful reality unless that 
spirit of true and pure fraternity which the Mas- 



304 The Beacon Light 

ter taught and which He lived among men exists/ 
where each shall esteem the other better than 
himself and will do unto others as he would have 
them do unto him. When hatred and malice sit on 
the throne and when revenge is allowed to prowl 
around unmolested among men working out its 
destructive scheme with impunity, then man, an- 
gels, civilization and institutions of light will de- 
generate and disappear, and in their places only 
images of their former greatness and grandeur 
will exist. What our nation would have been 
without the Civil war no one can conjecture. 
What magnificent proportions fraternity would 
have acquired if no disturbing power had come 
in to mar its growth no one can imagine. We 
know radical means are often used to correct an 
institution, state, nation or men, but what either 
one might have become if these radical means had 
not needed to be applied and at the same time 
the error removed is hard to say. Let all prefer 
the milder methods if they will do. But what 
history has written is written and what is left 
for the following hours to do is to leave out the 
harmful, remove the dangerous, estimate the 
disastrous, strengthen the helpful, build up every 
desirable element and cherish every elevating in- 
spiration. This has been done by the master ar- 
tist of reconstruction. How well every disagree- 
able, distasteful, dangerous and undesirable 
thing has been out in the background and even 
relegated to oblivion only the individual who liv- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 305 

ed contemporaneously with events, or the care- 
ful student of those ten years, between 1860 and 
1870 can know. The beauty of the reconstruc- 
tive period is fast becoming more evident to the 
student of Odd Fellowship as he sees the artis- 
tic Avork done. Now no scar is visible even in 
the hours of excitable contests or when earn- 
est desire is frustrated. The wound is perfectly 
healed and the flesh lias been so completely unit- 
ed that the most natural demands upon every 
tissue are speedily met and thoroughly executed. 
How well can many local institutions or lodges 
take lessons from this period. It is easy for the 
very best to be attained when all parties love 
the best and purest. 

To that period of reconstruction we now pay 
tribute, for without that gifted and masterly ar- 
tist we would have 3iad a scarred countenance, 
a deformed visage and an uncomely form', but out 
from the chaotic condition of Civil war there has 
come an orderly institution that practices true 
brotherhood of man, the exaltation of Friendship, 
the purity of Love, the kingliness of Truth, the 
sublimity of Faith, the divinity of Hope, the 
saintliness of Charity. 

If a reader should be in a local lodge that is 
suffering from the results of previously destruc- 
tive elements and a great wound then made is 
there yet and the ragged edges hang apart and 
are often bruised and bleeding, let him be the 
master healer that will draw these edges together 



306 The Beacon Light 

and pour ointment till they unite so closely that 
not even a sear can be seen. The master spirit 
is the spirit that makes the union of two oppos- 
ing elements of one kind and class. 



Meaning of Reconstructed Odd Fellowship 

It is a self-evident fact that former great- 
ness makes it impossible for future heroic acts to 
receive just recognition, unless these achieve- 
ments are phenomenal. All succeeding acts, no 
matter how exalted, may be over-shadowed by 
former greatness or by some masterly accom- 
plishment not so sublime or so difficult in perfor- 
mance because of its relative importance to 
that age's progress. Today we mingle among 
men who think greater thoughts than all the 
philosophers of the past thought. Today we read 
of and see acts successfully achieved by our fel- 
low workers which excel what was declared to be 
sublimely heroic in the past, yet we look upon 
what we see and read as commonplace and of an 
everyday character. The greatness of yesterday 
lias enlarged our demands and raised our stand- 
ards until only the superlative is astonishing to 
us or elicits from us more than a passing no- 
tice. 'Tis true each succeeding age is capable of 
larger acts and more successful operations than 
its immediate predecessor and this condition in 
which we live is the outcome of natural events. 
Greater vision, larger men and more godlike 
achievement are the demands. 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 307 

It is equally true that certain inherent ele- 
ments of any institution demand certain lines of 
conduct. Other lines of action and other poli- 
cies would bring swift calamity and dissolution. 
We do not mean that there is a reverence to pre- 
cedence or to older customs and practices simply 
because the early fathers did so and so, but rath- 
er some elements that make up and clothe certain 
institutions become imperial. For example the 
Christian faith has the inherent elements of 
truth, honesty, sincerity, mercy, sympathy, rev- 
erence to God and love to all men. If these ele- 
ments are disregarded then the Christian faith 
of the one who disregards them is shattered and 
disappears. For these inherent elements demand 
a certain line of action and when that is not fol- 
lowed then comes decay. Certain lines of con- 
duct that were imperative to the existence of an- 
institution that advocated brotherhod, such as 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, were dis- 
regarded in the fervid times of war hence decay 
came. In fact, war could not be carried on be- 
tween two classes of men who were sworn to do 
otherwise than what war demanded, unless the 
former obligations were disregarded and that 
institution, made possible by those obligations, 
crumbling to the dust. If these former relations, 
destroyed by war, were again to be resumed it 
must be upon the basis of conduct imperative to 
the institution. Only thus can the elements of 
Fraternity, the vital breath of the Brotherhood 



308 The Beacon Light 

of man, exist and the demands of life in the insti- 
tution be met. Upon this basis and this basis 
alone can reconstructed Odd Fellowship, which 
is our present day Odd Fellowship, exist. 

It might be well to ask ourselves once again 
the question : What does Odd Fellowship mean 
in itself? What are the inherent basic principles 
that have become imperial? These inherent ele- 
ments are well known to people in general, so 
much so that no power could extract them from 
Odd Fellowship without the uninitiated being 
conscious of the fact. These elements united 
make the creed of the Fatherhood of God and the 
Brotherhood of Man. We are conscious that 
many take these declarations as theories but 
will not put them into practice. Odd Fellowship 
has made these two declaratious not only the 
basis and foundation of this Order, but has build- 
ed them into a beautiful superstructure with all 
the modern appliances and conveniences. In 
other words, these two declarations have been 
made practical and are by the Order personified 
in actual life. 'Tis true they are not lived as 
perfectly as they will be some day, but they are 
being perfected and will approach the ideal in 
the future. 

The evidence that the Brotherhood of man 
is becoming a living reality is seen in the prac- 
tices of Odd Fellowship iu relieving distress, 
nursing the sick, burying the dead, caring for 
the widow and educating the orphan. What 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 309 

grander exponents of our institution could there 
be than these, ? These are the first of the inher- 
ent elements of Odd Fellowship. When Odd 
Fellowship was reconstructed it was compelled 
to move along these lines of action and do as well 
if not better than the former period. How well 
the action of this fraternal Order since its recon- 
struction has fulfilled every prophecy and met 
every demand placed upon it by its intrinsic na- 
ture only the real student and wide-awake in- 
vestigator of the Order knows. To a fair minded 
man we find evidences abounding and full. 

When we begin to recount the wonderful 
achievements of men under the direction and in- 
struction of the Order the skeptics and the pes- 
simists retort that these are extreme cases and 
rare opportunities aud that the general conduct 
is not in harmony with the extraordinary and 
isolated events. Suppose these events are extra- 
ordinary and isolated, that does not disprove my 
statement. In fact that establishes the fact that 
the individual and instiution are capable of 
reaching such heigths of achievement. Certainly 
it does. It is positive proof that when the op- 
portunity for sublime action arises the actor is 
not wanting. 7 Tis true man never knows his 
power till he has had opportunity to try his full 
strength and when he has done his best then he 
has the full measurement of himself. We know 
ourselves, our institution, our fellow men, our 
nation only by the extraordinary achievements 



310 The Beacon Light 

wrought. These alone are the measurements and 
these alone are the true tests of our abilities and 
purposes. Nothing else can pass unchallenged. 

What patriotic heart does not beat with ad- 
miration and praise at the story of Leonidas and 
his Spartan band of three hundred? None. 
Xerxes had fallen heir to the Persian throne and 
an already assembled army of one million seven 
hundred thousand men and a fleet of twelve hun- 
dred large vessels. In July of 480 B. C. this 
army drew near the narrow pass of Thermopylae. 
Here the Lacedaemonian king, Leonidas, with his 
small Spartan band and several thousand allies 
had taken his stand. Forsaken by his allies, Le- 
onidas alone with his immortal band of three 
hundred defended the pass. For several days 
the Persians were repulsed with great slaughter 
by this small number. Refusing to surrender, 
the band inflicted death upon the enemy till final- 
ly being betrayed by a treacherous Greek, died 
to a man for the liberty of Sparta. All patriotic 
people honor Leonidas and his band. This extra- 
ordinary and isolated event measured this king 
and his faithful company. By it they achieved 
immortal and undying fame, for they did not 
know how to surrender, but they knew how to 
die. No other measurement would have been big 
enough for that heroic leader and his men. 

What heart is not stirred from the very 
depths by the reading of the "Charge of the Light 
Brigade?" An error had been made, a wrong 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 311 

command had been given, the Light Brigade 
knew quite well, but it was not theirs to question. 
Theirs it was to act and they did. 

"Forward the Light Brigade! 
IVas there a. man dismayed? 
Not though the soldier knew 

Some one had blundered; 
Theirs not to make reply, 
Theirs not to reason why. 
Theirs hut to do and die. 
Into the valley of death 

Rode the six hundred. 

I 

How can their glory fade? 
the wild charge they made! 
All the world wondered. 
Honor the charge they made, 
Honor the Light Brigade — 
Noble six hundred. 

Only a few of the six hundred rode back 
again. You say it was an extraordinary and 
isolated event? Yes that is true, but only an 
event of that kind could measure the men that 
composed the Light Brigade. They did not know 
how to disobey, but they did know how to die. 

No lover of naval heroism can read about 
Commodore Oliver H. Perry's feat on Lake Erie 
without the sublimest emotions. The young Com- 
modore of 28 years began the battle with his flag- 
ship, the Lawrence, leading the attack against 



312 The Beacon JAcjlit 

Commodore Barclay, a veteran from the sea ser- 
vice of Europe. When the Lawrence was wreck- 
ed the dauntless Perry, putting on his uniform 
and seizing his banner, got in an open boat and 
passing within pistol shot of the enemy's ships, 
went to the ship Niagara and ran up his flag. In 
fifteen minutes the work was done, victory was 
his and the following message to the Govern- 
ment was posible : "We have met the enemy, and 
they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner 
and one sloop." You say that was an extraordi- 
nary and isolated event? Yes, but only an event 
of that nature could possibly measure Com- 
modore Perry and his men. They did not, know 
how to be defeated, but they did know how to 
achieve immortal fame by unparalleled deed. On- 
ly the larger opportunities can bring out the full 
power of man. Thousands of men pass from the 
cradle to the grave shut in by conditions and are 
never measured because no extraordinary oppor- 
tunity conies to test the full man. Happy is the 
man that can be measured. 

The skeptic and pessimist may declare that 
the general conduct is not in harmony with the 
extreme action. That may be true, but back of 
the extraordinary and isolated action must have 
been certain elementary preparations that made 
that event possible. Let the doubter gather to- 
gether all the minor actions and events and 
weigh them in the scale of true worth and see for 
himself the excellent quality in them. He will 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 313 

be surprised at the superior worth therein dis- 
covered. Out from the unknown will come the 
traces of the known, faint at first, but more posi- 
tive as time progresses until those traces are lost 
in the reality of the known. As far as the extra- 
ordinary achievements of Odd Fellowship are 
concerned they are only the legitimate outcome 
of the general acts of the Order in common every- 
day life. Take the authorized and sworn state- 
ments of our institution, such as are given at 
every general assembly, and be convinced that 
Odd Fellowship is practicing the virtues of the 
Order. For nearly the last quarter of a century 
the annual amount of money spent for the relief 
of distress has exceeded the two million dollar 
mark and the last five years the three million 
dollar mark has been reached. However, this 
doubtless does not include the local relief so often 
given by the Subordinate and Rebekah Lodges to 
members who need relief, but do not come within 
the constitutional limits. 

What is the measurement of reconstructed 
Odd Fellowship? Holding to the philosophy 
enunciated hither-to-fore in this article only the 
extraordinary opportunities can furnish a means 
to test the full power of the Order. It is a very 
fair question whether any opportunity has risen 
which gives a full test to our beloved Order. I 
think not. However, there have been a few op- 
portunities that have called out some of the hid- 
den expressions of loyalty to the teaching of the 



314 The Beacon Light 

institution but these have been rare within the 
reconstructive period. At the time of these 
great calamities that have visited our land Odd 
Fellowship bestowed its benefactions with an 
open hand. When the world was appalled at 
the fearful calamity of the great Chicago fire in 
1873 the different Chicago Orders immediately 
began to receive from Odd Fellowship all over 
the world contributions for the relief of the suf- 
fering until |131,120.62 was received. This 
alone told of the greatness of the stature of this 
institution. This call sounded far and near and 
there was no political boundary but the North 
and South, the East and the West alike came 
with material answer to the cry of need. 

When the scourge of Yellow Fever broke out 
over the South and the stricken were lying in 
destitution again the cry came. This time the 
centre was in Memphis, Tennessee and again the 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows sent in their 
contributions which amounted to f 74,171. G8. 
One has written of this event, "During the fear- 
ful yellow fever epidemic in Memphis in 1878-9 
money was lavishly donated to our suffering 
ones in that city by Odd Fellows and Odd Fel- 
lows' Lodges and Encampments from all over 
the world. When the dread disease had passed 
away, $20,000 remained unused. With this an 
elegant building was erected on the grounds of 
the Leath Orphan Asylum near Memphis. By 
this act the Odd Fellows of Tennessee secured 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 315 

a perpetual right to send the children of their 
deceased brothers to that institution, and many 
orphans of Odd Fellows have been sheltered un- 
der its roof." This is another test as to what the 
Order can do and what it will do when distress 
is to be relieved. 

Again when the country was startled by the 
sudden catastrophe of Johnstown Flood we see 
another opportunity. This most terrible disas- 
ter of its kind ever known in history, occurred 
May 31st, 1S8T. By the breaking of a dam a 
body of water 40 feet high and nearly one-half 
mile wide swept down a narrow valley, travers- 
ing the distance of eighteen miles in less than 
fifteen minutes, sweeping seven towns out of 
existence and carrying away the greater part 
of Johnstown, hurling into eternity at least five 
thousand people and destroying ten million dol- 
lars worth of property. Quickly and generously 
this Order responded until $60,000.00 had been 
laid in the lap of relief. 

When the fearful calamity came upon Gal- 
veston in 1900 and when in darkness that disas- 
trous tidal wave wrecked property and took hu- 
man life and made a plaything of the most im- 
posing work of man's hands and the cry came 
out of this chaotic condition, this Order again 
came forward wi^th a full hand, weeping sympa- 
thetic tears with the bereaved, driving back want 
from the doors of the stricken and putting into 
the empty pockets the necessary means to restore 



316 The Beacon Light 

confidence and good cheer to these heart-broken 
ones. In a short time we find over f 40,000.00 to 
meet the relief and over twice as mnch as was 
needed to relieve the pressing needs. It was a 
glorious response from a free people whose 
hearts were in sympathy with those in distress. 

Now again we are facing another test. The 
shock of the fearful disaster has not yet passed. 
Our hearts have been stirred and our sympathies 
awakened. Since the terrible earthquake at San 
Francisco the cry has come saying the needs are 
great. Our Sovereign Grand Lodge has made 
the appeal and donations of over $350,000.00 are 
expected immediately. The cry of the needy has 
never yet fallen on dull or deaf ears as far as 
Odd Fellowship is concerned. I charge you look 
to the response to the appeal. It is said on good 
authority that more money was offered than 
could be used by the Order. The calls of need 
were not sufficient to take the hour's supply. 
The Grand Jurisdiction of Kansas made her prof- 
fer of nearly $4,000.00 and it was not receieved. 
Other jurisdictions are in the same class. 

The greatness of Odd Fellowship is seen in 
what it has done and can only be measured by 
these extraordinary and isolated events, for only 
then does the institution come up to the limit 
of its strength and power. x\gain let me say I 
question whether Odd Fellowship has yet had an 
opportunity to be measured for no calamity or 
need has been great enough to expend or demand 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 317 

all the reserve force therein contained. This is 
the special field of Reconstructed Odd Fellow- 
ship and well has the field been occupied. 



The Three Pillars 

The three pillars of Patriarchal Odd Fel- 
lowship have a very important place in that 
branch of the order. It will be well for all Odd 
Fellowship to consider the meaning of this em- 
blem and especially for patriarchs to do so. 
There is so very much that cannot be proclaimed 
from the house-top, but can be whispered in the 
ear. Permit me to do a little of the whispering 
and give a short sketch of this one of the many 
very important teachings. Permit me at the 
very beginning of this article to say that much is 
very plainly spread out before us for our en- 
joyment and mutual benefit if only we have the 
vision or have our attention drawn so we can 
a PPly °ur powers of vision to see these bestow- 
ments. Our Creator has left nothing undone for 
our advancement, enjoyment, mastery and great- 
ness and it is left to us to make the most of our- 
selves and our powers, lay hands on the things 
all around us and appropriate them to our needs, 
pleasures, profit and aggrandizement. God has 
with these appropriations wrought in us a desire 
for the unpossessed so as to draw out our powers 
to the very limits of possibility. 

It might be well to say that this emblem — 



318 The Beacon Light 

the three pillars — belongs to all of Patriarchal 
Odd Fellowship. It is the support of all this 
branch. We must acknowledge, and we do so 
gladly and proudly, that without the Subordi- 
nate Lodge as a foundation and the teachings of 
the initiatory degree and the three degrees as* 
the basis, Patriarchal Odd Fellowship could not 
be. It is not a basic institution in itself but 
these are rather the finishings and the ornaments 
of the structure. The fundamental elements that 
support this branch are here set forth by these 
three pillars. These three pillars are emblems 
of faith, hope and charity. 

These are the wisdom, the strength and the 
beauty of religion and the support and the orna- 
ment of our temple of universal brotherhood. 
One has wisely said "every time we enter an en- 
campment they (the three pillars) remind us of 
the wisdom of humanity, the strength of trust, 
and the beauty of kindness which brought us to 
the emblematic tent, and before it's solemn al- 
tar." This is not all, for out of the very presence 
of these three pillars have gone positive teach- 
ings, the rich treasures and virtues of the soul, 
that we should cherish and cultivate by a very 
strict observance of all laws of duty to God, to 
our fellowmen everywhere and to ourselves. 

Upon the acknowledgement of the universal 
Fatherhood of God and the universal Brother- 
hood of Man we have constructed our institu- 
tion. Listen if you will, for it is a declaration of 









EMBLEMS OF THE SUBORDINATE ENCAMPMENTS. 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 319 

a faith in an Almighty Creator clothed in the 
familiar garments and becoming attire of fath- 
erhood — a fatherhood ever mindful of his child- 
ren and working persistently through many mys- 
terious ways for our ultimate perfection and 
happiness. Listen to me again if you will, for 
it is a declaration of a brotherhood of man every- 
where and of all races under the sun — a brother- 
hood that is struggling to alleviate: pain and suf- 
fering as well as hardship, deprivation and lim- 
its and at all times having in view that same ul- 
timate perfection and happiness of all men. This 
acknowledgement is made at the very threshold 
of the order itself — when the candidate enters 
the door by the way of the initiatory degree. Up- 
on it the whole fraternity is builded and with- 
out it there would be a crumbling to dust and a 
disappearing. Look at the structure and there 
is seen friendship so crystal pure that it rivals 
all other virtues standing and perfectly wrought 
from the finest of texture; brotherly love in full 
bloom sending out the very essence of comfort 
and aid. to every creature proceeding from the 
hand of the all wise Father; and truth so solid, 
so massive and so straight that every witness 
can declare of its testimony to the integrity of 
all that lies beneath it, the fatherhood of God, 
and the brotherhood of man. 

This creed of Odd Fellowship — and it is a 
creed — is expressed in this phrase of fatherhood 
and brotherhood. How beautifully this is exem- 



320 The Beacon Light 

plifled in the Subordinate lodge and through the 
lessons and teachings set forth within the fields 
of the initiation and the three degrees. But I 
charge you some very important phases of this 
creed could not fall within the compass of the 
therein cultivated territory. These three pillars 
tell of the three fields entered in Patriarchal 
Odd Fellowship wherein our creed is again ex- 
emplified — in faith, hope and charity. It is my 
pleasing task to bring to your thought these 
three fundamental elements of the creed of our 
Order which are emphasized in the Encampment. 
Faith! Yes, that is the first element. Xo 
man can give a definition to it. It is possible for 
us to tell of some phase of its life or action, but 
where is the definition. ? One has said, "Faith is 
the substance of things hoped for, the evidence 
of things not seen," but is that a definition? 
Rather it is a statement about faith, but no de- 
scription given that will separate it from all 
else and mark it distinctly the one thing. How- 
ever we are accustomed to exercise faith in ev- 
ery day affairs and so we have wrought in us by 
experience the fact of faith, but we cannot 
frame the inner impressions and convictions 
so that we can voice what faith is. We stead- 
fastly pursue our burdensome duties, confident 
that out from the work of our own hands will 
come an abundant reward. The innocent infant 
in its mother's arms sweetly smiles into her face, 
evincing its faith in her. The child cuddles down 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 321 

on the broad breast of the father aaid lets escape 
a sigh of relief which is the expression of faith 
in him. The boy boasts to his comrades about the 
qualities possessed by the ideal parent, assuring 
them that his father can do the most wonderful 
things. The marriage altar testifies to faith in 
human word and integrity even to the most 
precious of life. Faith is the very bond of life, 
society and government. Faith is the shield for 
the unprotected, even when the most difficult of 
conditions arise and the battle is the thickest. 
Faith is the very joy of the careworn and the 
weary, thus making the life lived a veritable 
park with great privileges, pleasures and refine- 
ment. The character that stands out as the man 
of faith is Abraham. I wish I could draw you a 
pen picture of this old patriarch, and you would 
see the very essence of this element of our creed. 
However we must not overlook one thing, and 
that is this faith must be firm rooted in God. 
That is the faith Faber sang in his song : 

"Faith of our fathers! Living still 4 

In spite of dungeon, fire and sioord; 

Oh how our hearts beat high with joy 

Whene'er tee hear that glorious tvord. 

Faith of our fathers — holy faith! 

We will be true to thee till death!" 

This is the same thing Whittier describes 
when he writes: 



322 The Beacon Light 

"We live by faith; but faith is not the slave 

Of text and legend. Reason's voice and 

God's — _, 

Nature's and duty's never at odds. 

What aslcs our Father of his children save 
************ 

A life that stands as all true lives have stood. 
Firm rooted in the faith that God is good.'' 

Hope! Yes, that is the second element. 
How we draw around this fireside and sit and 
hold communion together. We kindle the dying 
embers till they burst in a bright glow and we 
are warmed to go out with new vigor and deter- 
mination to make life big with our efforts. Hope 
cheers the fast sinking soul in the hour of in- 
tense distress, and lifts it up to prouder emi- 
nence. Hope fringes and lines every cloud with 
a brilliant, shining silver lining. Hope opens 
the gate for mortals to tread the path to eter- 
nity, and to trip light-footed to the very pres- 
ence of God. Hope is the handmaiden to faith, 
and lives the life of the blessed with riches un- 
told. For do we not sing 

"Hope springs eternal in the human breast." 

The platform of life then here is the Golden 
Rule. Only hope, begotten of the holiest and 
most sublime faith, can span the distance be- 
tween what is found in man and what he ought 
to be, and what he can be if he will. When all 
else is dead and gone forever, yet hope still lin- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 323 

gers to give life and good cheer. Yea, "Hope 
stays and half our joys renew." Some things are 
limited to the material, shaded by the things of 
time, and fade when they pass to the limit of 
the ordinary, but here is a quality of being or 
element of a creed that leads beyond the mate- 
rial in the spiritual or non-material, itself color- 
ing with a very beautiful tinting things of time 
and becoming brighter even unto brilliancy 
when it comes to the limit of the ordinary and 
leaps out into the boundless and extraordinary. 
Listen to this song : 

"Hope sets the stamp of vanity on all 

That men have deemed substantial since the 

fall. 
Hope with uplifted foot set free from earth, 
Pants for the peace of her ethereal birth. 
On steady icings sails through the immense 

abyss, 
Plucks amaranthine joys from bowers of bliss. 
And crowns the soul, while yet a mourner 

here, 
With wreaths like those triumphant spirits 

ivear. 
Hope, as an anchor, firm and sure, holds fast. 
The Christian's vessel, and defies the blast. 
Hope — nothing else can nourish and secure 
His new-born virtues and preserve him pure." 

Charity! Yes, that is the third element. We 
need our attention given to this third pillar if we 



324 The Beacon Light 

see the full beauty of Patriarchal Odd Fellow- 
ship. Charity is the queen, the brightest and 
best of the virtues or elements mentioned. Char- 
ity is not that which prompts cold almsgiving 
as a duty or from any other motive, but rather is 
that which calls forth the man himself and 
gives or makes him give the hot blood of his own 
heart. That is manifested in the true spirit of 
sympathy with suffering, and loyalty even in 
the hour of severest testing through adversity. 
It is that quality of heart and soul that attracts 
the erring and the blameworthy to repentance 
and to ways of rightness, that softens the most 
obstinate and bitter at heart, and woos the vi- 
cious and the vengeful to paths of peace. Whence 
charity? 7 Tis well to ask such a question, for 
he who has no faith in God nor hope in immor- 
tality can have little charity toward his fellow 
men. Listen well and you will find the voice 
from the unplayed instrument resound these 
words : 

" 'Tis Truth Divine, exhibited on earth, 
Gives Charity her being and her birth." 

In conclusion we urge upon every lover of 
Odd Fellowship- to notice the apt relation these 
three elements hold to our Order. We must have 
faith in God, must possess hope in immortality 
and exercise charity toward all men. Our creed 
may have many exemplifications, but so long as 
we are true to the creed, these settings forth will 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Poicell 325 

only enhance it and bring the charm more forci- 
bly to the notice of the brotherhood. 



The Tent 



Knowledge is power. He who knows has 
a mastery not otherwise attained. It does not 
do any department or branch of the Order any 
good to be ignorant of the other departments 
and their teachings, even though the individual 
may not be entitled to the work of that depart- 
ment or even eligible to the same. The Bebekak 
that is wide awake to the interests of the Ee- 
bekah branch will know all that is lawful for 
her to know of the other two branches — the Su- 
bordinate lodge and the Subordinate Encamp- 
ment. The same holds good for the Odd Fellow 
in respect to the entire Order. In fact it is al- 
most self-evident that if eligibility is attained 
it would pay the individual to.be initiated into 
the various branches of Odd Fellowship that he 
may be better acquainted with the institution 
with which he is allied, even though he does 
not find the strength and time to be a regular 
attendant for active duty within the walls of 
these departments of lodge life. There is a sure 
return received by knowing things. 

Some scenes, pictures and actions are tre- 
menduously suggestive. They leave in their 
trail the remnants of their excellencies till we 
follow them with great eagerness and seek dil- 



326 The Beacon Light 

igently till we gain the very secret of their 
witchery. It was the secret we were after though 
we had felt the delightful thrill of enchantment 
and had been under the charming fascination 
therein exercised. We have such a scene for this 
hours consideration. Let me draw it for your 
minds eye. There upon the plains stands the 
tent with a large number of other and smaller 
tents around it. The herdsmen go out and come 
in with their tended flocks. They tarry a day or 
a week or a month and then move on to other lo- 
calities. This is the habitation of the Patriarchs 
who dwelt in tents. This scene is tremendously 
suggestiTe. 

We read of Jabal who "was the father of 
such as dAvell in tents and such as have cattle." 
True to his interests, folloAving his profession, 
lie must necessarily move his flocks from pasture 
to pasture for food and shelter, so his dwellings 
must have been movable. We read of Abraham 
and his descendants "casting their tents." 
These Patriarchs, true to their flocks did not ne- 
glect their other personal qualities. The social 
virtues were perfected and these inhabitants 
were happy because they were true and good. 
Thus these great men — for they were great men 
— developed characters worthy of our most care- 
ful imitation. They were simple in their manner 
of life and conduct, unostentatious, true and sin- 
cere. Their sense of humanity was best seen 
in their hearty entertainment of the wayfarer, 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 327 

even though he were a stranger. Distress was 
never left unalleviated, if it were in human pow- 
er to succor. 

The tent was and is the emblem of hospital- 
ity. In Odd Fellowship the tent is always rep- 
resented open — to remind us that when we need- 
ed shelter and hospitality we found them. Yet 
there is another teaching clear to us, that we 
should always be ready to grant the same when 
needed by others. A true Patriarch never closes 
his tent against a stranger in need or distress. 
The pilgrimage of life is not through flowery 
dells and by murmuring waters, but oftimes, 
very often, through the darkest valleys, over 
difficult paths, across swollen and torrented 
streams, and in the midst of blinding tempests. 
We may soon need just such favors shown us. 
Hospitality should be not only a sacred duty, 
but it should be a pleasant one — in fact it has 
been acknowledged such through all the ages 
and among all races and peoples. Our creed of 
the universal Fatherhood of God demands our 
recognition of the fact that it is our brother 
who is distressed and needs care. God teaches 
us to be kind even to the unkind, be generous 
even to the unthankful and untrue, to give good 
to the evil and bestow without any expectation 
of receiving again. Does not God send the sun- 
shine and rain on the good and the evil alike? 
If we become like Him we must do as He does 
and manifest in ourselves those exalted elements 
that make us Great. 



328 The Beacon Light 

Costly mansions are not necessary for acts 
of humanity. Many of our race miss the richest 
of blessings because the door of the tent is 
closed and not open. You ask them about it and 
you hear them say they are not fixed to enter- 
tain. The greatest blessings of a social nature 
that have ever come to our door, humble as it is, 
have come when we forgot our limits and from 
the fullness of our hearts we did our best to enter- 
tain the passer-by and glean from him what he 
had gathered through the pilgrimage. The sym- 
pathizing heart will provide the refreshments 
and the shelter necessary, and he who will not 
receive such in the spirit in which it is given is 
unworthy of your favors. I wonder what Abra- 
ham would have thought if his door had been 
shut against those heavenly visitors that came 
to his tent that eventful evening when they told 
him of God's purposes about Sodom and the 
evil villages of the plains. What would have 
been the fate of Lot and his family if, when 
the angels of the Most High came to the door 
and knocked, had he refused to hear them and 
they would have been compelled to go away 
without delivering the warning and without 
assisting him to escape? We may entertain an- 
gels unawares sometimes if our door is open to 
the sojourner. The humblest place of abode can 
be a palace where the nobles of every realm stop 
to refresh themselves and rest a little Avhile. 

The tent is the emblem of peace and com- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 329 

fort. While it is our duty to minister to the 
needs of the wayfarer without any partiality as 
to country, creed or cause of his distress, it is 
our duty also to see that within our abode peace 
and comfort reign supreme. We owe a duty to 
ourselves and our families that no treacherous 
or vicious person gains our confidence and is ad- 
mitted into the intimacy of our fellowship. We 
are to entertain the stranger but we need to 
guard well that we do not admit an enemy in the 
guise of one in distress. We have a right to ex- 
amine carefully the claims and the characters of 
those who make a call upon our hospitality or 
our means, that we foster not crime nor aid the 
undeserving to reap the profits or benefits of 
charity. There is too much of laxity along this 
line and more than a casual lesson needs to be 
given us, lest Ave forget our obligations to those 
within our tent. How many hearthstones are 
desolate now because some undeserving charac- 
ter has been admitted, and when he had gone 
took with him what could never again be re- 
stored. The wide world has been made dark and 
full of sadness because of this oft repeated 
treachery. W^e must guard well the tent, for it 
stands for peace and comfort — two qualities that 
are furnished only by intense true worth and a 
close application to the ideals of the highest and 
kept only by vigilance against the enemy in dis- 
guise. 



330 The Beacon Light 

The tent has another lesson equally impor- 
tant. The Patriarch had his tent as a conveni- 
ence ever reminding him of his unsettled life. 
It reminds us of the extended pilgrimage of the 
Israelites from Egyptian bondage to the liberty 
of the promised land, from the scanty supply of 
a servile life to the abundance within the land 
that flowed with "milk and honey." How like 
our life's own journey. We are pitching our 
tents from place to place in the wilderness of 
life. We, to, are on a journey from bondage to 
freedom, from limits to the abundance, for we 
are fast coming to the conviction "That in this 
world we have no continuing city," rather only 
wayfarers seeking a habitation that is eternal. 
Today we set up our tents here in a new abode, 
it may be by the river, and tomorrow we may 
Arab-like fold them up and glide away over the 
stream whose farther shore cannot be seen by 
mortal eyes. 'Tis true 

"Here in this body bent, 
Absent from Heaven I roam. 
Yet nightly pitch my tent 
A day's march nearer home." 

We need the lessons of the 'tent as men of 
everyday life. We need to be taught our duty to 
the stranger, to ourselves and most of all to the 
All Wise Creator who has made us pilgrims 
passing from time to eternity. 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 331 

The Altar of Sacrifice. 

It is well to sit awhile by the side of the per- 
ishable, the transient, the disappearing and the 
fading to> realize the unsatisfactory bequeathe- 
ments of those things. At times I feel much im- 
pressed by the necessity of man's realization of 
his finiteness in this world. Our frailties and 
our limits form a splendid glass for us to look 
into to see ourselves as we really are, and to re- 
alize how limited we are. The trouble with the 
most of us is we do look into the glass and study 
our features, but when we go away from the 
glass we forget straightway what we look like; 
what manner of creature we are. We act like 
we think we are gods. The Apostle James brings 
out this profound fact, and it is true. I question 
not if we had the accurate skill of a master ar- 
tist, one who has the power to put on canvass 
the perfect image we hold in our. memories of 
ourselves, but that .there would be a great dis- 
paragement between it and what the looking 
glass would reveal as we stood before it. We 
need the mirror formed of our frailties, to get a 
true likeness of ourselves. Nothing else will do 
or will furnish a possible correct representation. 

Comparisons are odious when made by oth- 
ers, but when we measure ourselves by perfect 
measurements or standard rules we are likely to 
get a splendid hint as to our real selves. We only 
know that a strip of cloth is a yard long and a 
yard wide by comparison with the adopted and 



332 The Beacon Light 

tested standard of measurement. We know that 
we are measuring ourselves by the standard of a 
perfect man. If we find we are too weak, are not 
wise enough and are are not capable of execution 
to stand the highest in creation and be master 
over all that is, that discovery is sufficient to 
send us to questioning and seeking for the way 
of mastery. The ages have been asking questions 
and seeking the way to this position. Listen and 
we shall hear of one way that was taught by the 
wisest of teachers. It is the way to find the lar- 
gest life. Listen ! "Whosoever will save his life 
shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life for 
my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advan- 
taged, if he gains the whole world, and lose him- 
self, or be cast away?" Sacrifice is the way of 
life, to mastery and perfect relations. I call you 
to this phase of life. 

The highway of sacrifice leads to immortal- 
ity, to the abundant life. We read, "the path of 
glory leads but to the grave," and we are pro- 
foundly impressed with that truth. Yet it is 
more profoundly true that the highway of ser- 
vice, of sacrifice, leads but to life upon life, that 
is perfect life or immortality. It was told of an 
artist that he had gained fame by the peculiar 
tinting of his pictures and the shadings of the 
red and the bl endings of these shadings one into 
the other. No other artist could discover his se- 
cret. He was offered large sums of money for his 
secret, but he would shake his head and would 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 333 

not reveal it. One clay he fell dead at his canvas^ 
and when he was picked up it was found that 
over his heart he had a wound from which he 
drew his life's blood and mixed his heart's blood 
with his minerals to get the right colors. If we 
would gain immortality we must mix our heart's 
blood with the elements of daily life. Too many 
of us have the cheap view of life and we think 
it is made up of common things and the rubbish, 
such as we can as well as not spare out of our 
lives. Only that which is worth while is of value 
in the construction of a palace winch will endure 
forever. Everything has a price, and if we pay 
the price we can get the palace of everlasting life, 
but we all must pay the price. Sacrifice is the 
highway to immortality. Seek not for it over any 
by-path or lane, for it is only reached this way, 
and this is a highway. 

Man's frailties and limits have driven man 
to seek succor from a superior being who has 
what man lacks. Man must needs look to a, pow- 
er above his own, an all embracing power with- 
out himself, or a personality that is distinctly 
superior to all personalities within him or about 
him. How he lias been reaching blindly out into 
the dark and has wondered! Within man some- 
how was implanted a desire or bent to worship 
the embodiment of the heart's desire. He could 
not find a rest or peace till his efforts were sealed 
by the sacrifice, or the surrender of something 
very precious to the worshiper. Man never found 



334 The Beacon Light ' 

the satisfying portion until he had veritably de- 
nied himself to the end of exalting the object of 
his devotions. The altar of sacrifice to him sym- 
bolized his faith in God and obedience to His 
commands. It further implied that no sacrifice 
was too great on the part of the creature to 
please the Creator, for the- finite to render to the 
Infinite. I charge you this is the very spring of 
the greatness of a soul, for thus the soul is joined 
with the Creator and they become one. When 
one does godlike acts he is certainly walking in 
the path of the Eternal, and his goal will doubt- 
less be the very heart of the Eternal. 

Of all the examples of sacrifice in the Holy 
Writ, excepting the sacrifice of the Son of God 
on the cross, stands crest high, peak prominent 
and sunlit vivid the scene upon Mount Moriah 
centuries ago when Isaac and his father Abra- 
ham scaled its heights and stood at the hour of 
sacrifice in their places to obey the behest of 
God. That was the severest test of faith in God 
and of obedience to his mandates ever set before 
the world of thought. Abraham, a friend of God, 
had received the promise of a son "in whom all 
the families of the earth should be blessed." Ev- 
ery possibility had faded until old age claimed 
the strength and vigor of Abraham and Sarah, 
yet he faltered not in the promise of God. Sarah 
was old and Abraham was infirm, yet God was 
reckoned true. At one time Abraham thought it 
might be God would make Eleazer, his faithful 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 335 

servant and steward, his heir, and through him 
would bless the earth. He knew God was true. 
Then came Ishmael, born unto him by the hand- 
maiden Hagar, and now his thought was that 
this son would surely be the heir of the promise. 
God was true. But when God gave him Isaac, 
who was born out of due season, and contrary 
to all natural expectations, Abraham had unwa- 
vering faith, an intense conviction, that this mi- 
raculously given child was the heir to the prom- 
ise, and through him the nations would be 
blessed. Picture if you can the agony of the 
father's heart when he was convinced that God 
asked the dearest object of his heart as a 
sacrifice to Him. Our devotion is measured by the 
degree we sacrifice in honoring and pleasing the 
one we worship. Our love is measured by the 
degree we contribute ourselves and what we have 
to make the object of our love happy. How heavy 
must have been the heart as he arranged to obey 
the voice of God. What a fearful journey that 
must have been from his dwelling and from his 
tents to the Mount of Sacrifice! How the scene 
of the farewell between the child and his mother 
yet unconscious of the demand of God, must 
have burned like fire in his heart and brain. 
What feelings he must have had when he said to 
the servants, "Stay ye here, and I and the lad 
will go up yonder to worship. " It seems to me 
that I can see the two going up the mountain 
side, the son with the wood on his shoulder and 



336 The Beacon Light 

the father with the fire brands in one hand and 
the knife in the other. To Abraham this ascent 
must have been fearfully painful, for so absorb- 
ed in the inner workings was he that when Isaac 
said "My Father/' he was startled and was 
aroused as if from a deep suffering, and. said, 
"Here am I, my son." It must have been like the 
cutting of a knife to his heart Avhen Isaac asked 
"My father, behold the tire and the wood, but 
where is the lamb for the burnt offering?" How 
tender and touching must have been the conver- 
sation between the father and the son yonder on 
the mountain height as the divine requirement 
was made known ! With what burning eyes and 
swelling heart Isaac was bound and placed upon 
the altar! With what deep anguish yet calm 
faith the father lifted the knife to offer the sac- 
rifice! The knife was never to fall, for the sac- 
rifice had already been made, for the voice of 
God comes, "Lay not thine hand upon the lad, 
neither do thou anything unto him, for now I 
know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast 
not witheld thy son, thine only son, from Me." 
The arm fell, but the heart was filled with rap- 
ture, as the natural result of one who had unlim- 
ited faith in God and who obeys His command- 
ments to the very end. God never forsakes His 
children. 

Selfish purposes and ungenerous impulses 
must be crushed. Nothing is too good to put on 
the altar of our devotions. We are constantly 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 337 

required to render self-denial and submission, 
for these events are the natural fruits of a vir- 
tuous life. When called upon we should never 
hesitate to sacrifice our comfort and our perso- 
nal gratification upon the altar of duty, upon the 
altar of Friendship, Love and Truth. There is 
only one highway to greatness and to Godlike- 
ness, and that is the highway of sacrifice. The 
All-Wise Being sought a way to draw men, His 
highest creatures, from the earth and earthly, 
from the material and the animal, to Himself, 
and he could find only one way, and that was for 
man to be lost to himself, and be found to his 
fellow men. Any other life lived, any other 
course followed, leads to ruin, decay, oblivion 
and vacancy. How terrible was the writing on 
the palace wall, which was only interpreted by 
the prophet of the Most High to the dismayed 
ruler! "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin." But 
any other festivity of life, save the festivity of 
sacrifice, will- bring that handwriting on the 
wall; but the festivity of sacrifice will bring the 
inscription, exalted, crowned, enthroned, deified. 
This is the inscription that will be written in 
the true festal halls of Odd Fellowship. For he 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted, and he 
that thinketh primarily of his fellow man and 
his God shall himself be in the thought and the 
heart of the Infinite. 



338 The Beacon Light 

The Scrip, Sandals and Staff 

One tiling humanity is fast learning, and 
this is being more firmly stamped upon the con- 
science as well as intelligence of the race, and 
that is the transitory state of things and life. 
To-day we are here, but tomorrow we will be 
yonder. To-day we see this vision and have this 
desire and this aim but tomorrow we see another 
vision and are governed by other desires and by 
other aims. To-day the glow of youth, eagerness 
and enthusiasm — each charged with ardent am- 
bition and brilliant hopes — but to-morrow, while 
we sit in the shadow of the coming evening of 
life, we find the blood running slower, ambition 
declining and hopes disappearing. Yea, verily 
this inner life itself is transitory. But more than 
this, even in our relation to things and life, this 
same changing and coming and going is evi- 
dent. Our neighbors, our friends, our kin- 
folk and those of our household bear the same 
mark on their foreheads and are doomed by the 
same law. We are not long with the identical 
conditions around us. To keep up with the 
hour's necessities we must constantly make new 
relations and receive new friends, and as con- 
stantly give up old relations and old friends. 
What a tyrant this law is anyhow, for it passes 
by no one. His caress is like a firebrand, or yet 
more like a branding iron. The hovel, the hut, 
the modest home and the palace are alike impar- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 339 

tially served. I charge you to think well upon 
this great fact of life. 

Here we have the emblems of sojourneying, 
and they represent man as a traveler. This earth 
is not man's abiding place, his home; therefore 
he is on a journey. Being engaged in making an 
important journey, every care must be taken so 
as to make the journey with safety, therefore he 
must prepare for himself scrip, sandals and 
staff. These three are very important, for upon 
them may depend his life, his comfort and his 
safety. The scrip is that which contains what is 
needful for subsistence while making the jour- 
ney. The body must be fed and refreshed. With- 
out such supply the traveler will famish and 
starve. The children of Israel, when about to 
leave Egypt, made for themselves unleavened 
bread as serippage upon which to feed and sub- 
sist while making their hurried and forced mar- 
ches. Most always we can secure sufficient sup- 
ply as we go along, but there comes a forced 
march and we must depend on what has been 
previously prepared. Likewise the Israelites pre- 
pared themselves sandals and put them on their 
feet to protect them while walking, along the 
hard roads and on the sands of the desert. They 
were not going along green banks and by the still 
waters, but over hard roads and in desert places. 
Life always leads us into these hard places, and 
unless our feet are well shod we will become 
bruised and lame and unable to go on. The san- 



340 The Beacon Light 

dais protected the Israeli tish traveler. They 
also fashioned staffs after the fashion of a shep- 
herd's crook and carried them to assist them in 
their journeying. Difficulties and hard traveling 
would come to them when they would need some- 
thing to assist them. Dangers would confront 
them and they would need something with which 
to defend themselves. We do not need to think 
our ways lead in paths of ease and comfort. No 
man is great who has no difficulties to overcome 
or dangers to banish. He who is not ready for 
either difficulty or danger will be defeated. The 
staff was useful in walking, and especially so 
when the wayfarer, tired and weary of going, 
yet was compelled to go on still farther. 

Our life is a journey begun at our birth, run- 
ning perhaps through infancy, childhood, youth, 
maturity and ending at least, if not before, in old 
age. These stages of life appeal to us all, but 
each stage has a special appeal. Infancy empha- 
sizes innocency, purity and sweetness. These 
elements are personified in the baby. Childhood 
is admired for its freshness, beauty, love of pleas- 
ure, promise, fire, enthusiasm and vigor. Ma- 
turity expresses all that is meant by manhood 
and is admired because of the strong, rugged, in- 
tense and real therein emphasized. Old age is 
cherished for its ripe judgments, its full experi- 
ence and abundant reminescence, even though 
the strong man has begun to tremble, his powers 
have become less positive and his eyes are dim- 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 341 

nied. Yes, each stage has its oavii peculiar ap- 
peal to each one of us, and we know if we con- 
tinue to live we cannot stay in any one stage, but 
must pass from one to the other, that we must 
receive the impressions of each one and bear the 
bequeathments of each to the next. Life is a 
very important pilgrimage. We shall need the 
scrip, the sandals and the staff, for the times will 
come when we must make forced marches and be 
sustained by previously prepared scrippage, the 
unleavened bread; when we are compelled to 
pass over hard roads, down stony paths and over 
rocky cliffs; when difficulties and dangers must 
be met and mastered. This will be our inheri- 
tance till the "Grasshopper becomes a burden 
and desire fails," and until "man goeth to his 
long home and the mourners go about the streets 
crying 'alas, alas." 

Life has a profound and exacting meaning 
after all. To exist is to breath, eat, drink, sleep 
without any response to the reason why of life. 
To live man touches the hem of the garments of 
the Infinite and receives from Him virtue, pow- 
er, that heals Ms diseases and makes him strong 
to follow the footsteps of that same Infinite, Man 
is under obligations divinely imposed — obliga- 
tions to live the greatest life possible and make 
the most of his opportunities. The All-Wise 
Creator does not require the impossible from our 
hands, but He does require the best and fullest 
returns. He leads along the stages of life and 



342 The Beacon Light 

each milestone prepares for the next. In onr 
passing through the stages and when we have 
come to the close he demands the very best of 
us, one in the process and the other in the com- 
pletion. No man is worth while who demands 
the richest living from the world and has no care 
about what he gives to the world ; nor is he worth 
living who is thoughtless as to his value to the 
age in which he lives. Every noble soul sees the 
deeper meaning of life and is anxious that he 
gives full value received, careful to see that the 
world is no poorer because he lived, but rather 
much richer. Mr. H. W. Mabie gave voice to a 
very rich sentiment when he penned these words 
on "Duty." We need to emulate them. 
"To love some one more dearly every day, 
To help a wandering child to find his way. 

To ponder o'er a noble thought and pray 

And, smile when evening falls, 
To follow truth as blind men long for light. 
To do my best from dawn of day to night, 
To keep my heart fit for His Holy sight 

And answer when He calls.' 7 

Then under this coloring these emblems 
mean much. They teach us the necessity on our 
part of a careful preparation and that we should 
use all due diligence to get ready for life's tasks, 
privileges and opportunities. We are emphatic- 
ally commanded to shapes every instrument that 
will facilitate our work or advancement. That 
which gives us power and bequeathes us strength 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 343 

to journey on, that which protects us from des- 
tructive agencies met on the way — agencies most 
surely encountered every day — and that which 
assists us in mastering difficulties and vanquish- 
ing dangers constantly met in our journeying 
through life is of vital importance to us. The 
bodily and spiritual natures need to be fed and 
strengthened. We must have a store from which 
we may obtain power for every day's tasks. That 
store would not be sufficient if we did not protect 
ourselves, which is symbolized in the feet being 
shod with sandals. We will have hardships to 
endure and rough and rugged roads to pass over 
to do good and live the noblest lives. We must 
protect our powers that they may be preserved 
against useless wear and exhaustion. Only the 
fool-hardy fights in the open if shelter is at hand 
and risk can be lessened to the smallest degree. 
Neither would the supply of food and proper pro- 
tection do us any good if when we needed help 
it was not forthcoming. Our weary limbs need 
the support of the staff at times. We do need to 
have at hand that which will assist us through 
all emergencies when they come. We are not 
wise if we do not make the proper preparation 
for a journey of a few days. How much more 
important is it, then, that we make provisions 
for a journey which begins in infancy, lasts 
through life, and ends in death. Our duty is not 
fully accomplished till we have done our very 
best. It should not matter whether life is Ions? 



344 The Beacon Light 

or short, we soon pass away and are gone. It is 
better that we be "guided by well regulated in- 
dustry " and have "perseverance in all good 
works and a humble reliance upon God." The 
poet sang truly : 

"Between two worlds, life hovers like a star. 
■Twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's 
verge.'- 

ye Odd Fellows, who listen to the teach- 
ings of the Pilgrim's scrip, sandals and staff, 
heed well the lessons. It is given to you to know 
the mysteries of life, but if you waste your op- 
portunities you, too, may lose in the sunset. Then 
mayhap bitter will be your regret, for then you 
will know well the teaching, 

"Over the trackless pasty somewhere, 
Lie the lost dags of our tropic youth. 
Only regained by faith and prayer, 
Only recalled' by prayer and plaint." 

1 charge you that you speak to your soul 
with the authority of God and with the dig- 
nity that becomes sons of the Most High. No 
Odd Fellow has a right to consider himself com- 
mon who has listened to the voice of true fra- 
ternity. Speak, I charge you, with authority 
and dignity and command your soul, saying: 

"Build thee more stately mansions, my soul 

As the swift seasons roll! 

Leave thy low-vaulted past! 
Let each new temple nobler than the last, 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 345 

Shut thee from Heaven with a dome more vast, 

Till thou at length art free, 
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's unresting 
Sea/' ' 



The Tables of Stone, Cross and Crescent. 

Man comes into this world with great capac- 
ity far beyond his realization. He is born with 
certain longings and he is never satisfied till he 
finds that Avhich his inner nature craves. Com- 
ing into the realms of introspection he finds him- 
self with capacity that far outreaches material 
things, earthly bestowments or tangible sub- 
stance. He has capacity for an all-knowing, all- 
seeing, all-powerful, all-loving, all-present God. 
Nothing else nor anybody else will supply the 
special nook in the heart of man. God and God 
alone can do it. 

These three emblems remind us of three 
great personalities, widely different in charac- 
ter, yet great in their special fields. They can- 
not be compared for they are so wide apart. Like 
three links in a chain, friendship, love and truth, 
these three characters are united in one univer- 
sal Father over all. The Tables of Stone point 
to Moses, the servant of God, and the leader of 
the children of Israel, who for forty days and 
forty nights abode on the mountain top in the 
clouds that covered the face of the mountain at 
the time when* God came down to bring to man- 
kind the decalogue or ten commandments. Thus 



346 The Beacon Light 

in the foldings of the clouds that capped Mt. Sin- 
ai Moses listened to the whisperings of God as 
He gave to a man a perfect code of laws. The 
Crescent points to that great reformer, who, fill- 
ed with holy zeal, made war upon vices and cer- 
tain flagrant crimes and sinful habits then preva- 
lent among his people, and reminds us of those 
wars that made nations come under his rule and 
fight under his banner. The Cross points to the 
immaculate Son of God who is standing alone in 
his religious philosophy and in the deep mys- 
teries he opened to those who come under his 
rule and who follow the philosophy of his life 
which is self-sacrifice and an undescribable love 
of God the Father for men. The Cross stands 
for his life and his free sacrifice, for he laid down 
his life to save the world and to enthrone man 
on his God-designed throne. We who live under 
his reign understand Him to be the best of all 
the three. The first was a prototype of Him and 
the second was a gross imitation of Him. He 
himself was original. 

The Tables of Stone suggest the decalogue 
with all its perfection and completeness. It is 
true that we can say of this code of laws what 
can not be said of any other code of laws enacted 
by mankind. From the Y^ry beginning there has 
been no need of alteration or amendment. They 
are as well adapted to humanity's needs now as 
when first given amid Mt. Sinai's smoke and 
cloud, rolling thunder and leaping lightnings. 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 347 

They go deeper than action, for they strike at the 
seat of the germ of action — they regulate the 
thoughts, desires and passions of men. They 
will not permit us to forget our duty to» God or 
to oiir fellowinen. Even those who scoff at the 
giving of the law on Mt. Sinai and who try to re- 
ject all revelation, confess that this code is the 
best moral code ever given to men. Every vir- 
tuous and ideal man walks in the light and obeys 
the mandates and heeds the lessons of the teach- 
ings on the Tables of Stone. The beauty of the 
code is not seen so well till it is engraven in the 
hearts and lives of men, then it is most tran- 
scendently beautiful. 

The tables of the law represent Divine gov- 
ernment and tell of a common basis for the three 
great religions — Judaism, Christianity and Mo- 
hainedanism — which recognize the one living and 
true God and likewise furnish the foundation 
for all governments which acknowledge God as 
the ruler of the world and peoples. No nation 
can hold the happiness and welfare of the human 
race as chief aim and end but that it receives its 
inspiration at this fountain. This code is con- 
stantly operating in all progress both civic, mor- 
al and religious and universally leads to an ever 
abiding trust and positive faith in God. In fact 
it offers a common basis of worship and morals 
not only for one nation and people, but for all 
nations and all peoples in all climates. It is the 
one universal footing. Here we find the common 



348 The Beacon Light 

understone that supports the great structure of 
spiritual religious conception and worship of 
one God. 

It might be well for us to sit here a while 
and investigate this statement. Can any Chris- 
tian do else than acknowledge the common basis? 
Did not his religion have its foundation on the 
Old Testament and is not the Old Testament the 
very sum and substance — the only scripture of 
the Jews? Yea verily the Christian and the 
Jew alike hold sacred the decalogue, the law and 
the writings and the prophets. What then of 
the Moslem? The very foundation on which he 
stands is common ground with both the Chris- 
tian and the Jew . Thus the Cross on the one side 
and the Crescent on the other side both together 
receive the inspiration and instruction from the 
tables, and sing their songs of inspiration and 
adoration in perfect harmony. The Jew, the 
Moslem and the Christian, with many others of 
other shades and degrees of belief, can meet 
around the common altar erected to this one 
great and mighty God and offer up their devo- 
tions to the same Infinite and Eternal Being. It 
is true they differ in faith and mode of worship 
and it is true each may think he alone is right, 
but there is here a public domain whore we all 
can mingle. We Christians believe that there is 
no other name under heaven whereby we can be 
saved save in the name of Jseus Christ, the di- 
vine Son of God, who is both God and Man, yet 



Lecture Addresses uy Dr. B. M. Powell 349 

I charge you, we are glad that the Jew loves Je- 
hovah God as ardently as we and that he is look- 
ing forward to a greater revelation to come. We 
believe and declare we know that we have that 
greater revelation in Jesns of Nazareth. We do 
not believe that Mohammed was the prophet of 
God, but we are glad he, too, sits at the feet of 
Jehovah and worships there and the only desire 
Ave have for him is that he may be lead of God 
till he sees the Christ as the only Savior of men. 
Till that time when all shall see the common 
Savior, we are to sit in the halls of toleration 
and live and let live, worship and let worship, 
be God-like and pray that others be the same. 

What a beautiful lesson of toleration we 
have here. I would not say for a moment that 
we should compromise our religion or deny our 
Christ, but we are admonished that we be con- 
siderate of the other fellow. There is a world of 
difference between being tolerant and denying 
our faith. If the followers of Mohammed expect 
others to respect them in their privileges set 
forth in their system, if the Jew is to have the 
delights in Judaism they both should allow me 
to have my Christ and love Him and worship 
Him. If I am to do the same then I should be 
tolerant to them and allow them their pleasure 
in worship. Just so long as we all are true to 
the fundamentals of all — The Tables of Stone. 
Every man should seek the truth and live in its 
light, and then enjoy the sacred rights of wor- 



350 The Beacon Liglit 

shipping "God according to the dictates of his 
own conscience." God is the father of us all and 
all men are his sons. Some may be lost sons, 
but sons nevertheless. How tender we should 
be to my father's children for they are my kith 
and kin. We are then "to think and let thinki" 
The Golden Rule is very applicable here — " What- 
soever ye would that men should do to you, do 
ye also to them." Where all agree there should 
be unity in good works and worship; wherein 
we differ and cannot agree there should be toler- 
ation in opinion at least. 

What an emblem" of Divine government we 
have here. God is, yea, God is. Yet more than 
that, He has His fingers on the keyboard of 
events. He has a government over the things 
that are and he who dares to run counter to his 
government must fight against God. Gamaliel 
was right when lie advised the indignant mob 
and especially those hot headed Pharisees and 
Scribes that they had better be careful what 
they did with the apostles and first Christians. 
Listen to his wisdom, "Refrain from these men, 
and let them alone; for if this counsel or this 
work be of men, it will come to naught; but if it 
be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye 
be found even to fight against God." Yes, God 
has a touch on the things that are and if not of 
Him they will crumble and decay. Only that in- 
stitution lives that has the eternal element of 
the truth of God in it. 



Lecture Actresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 351 

We need to take the lessons of this emblem — 
lessons of the Divine government of God, who is 
Lord and father of ns all, of toleration toward 
all men as onr brothers, who are not accountable 
to me ,to us, but to God, who is over all and un- 
derstands all. I have been questioning a little 
recently and sometimes I think some of tne peo- 
ple of the age are really learning this important 
lesson taught here, but many more need still the 
"line upon line, precept upon precept and teach- 
ing upon teaching." I suppose time-servers 
will have their place in human society, but I 
rather admire the union of forces only made pos- 
sible by a faith in an all -wise, ever-present, un- 
limited, merciful Father — God, who looks with 
deepest compassion upon even the worst of men 
but who smiles the sweetest upon the one who 
lives and lets live, who does his best for himself, 
his friends, his country and his God. I love to 
dwell at this shrine and worship a while. 



The Altar of Incense. 

It is impossible for man to find perfect satis- 
faction in himself alone. He must love some- 
thing or somebody outside of himself— love bet- 
ter than he loA^es himself, if he ever becomes real- 
ly happy. The Altar of Incense is the emblem 
of worship. Worship is the only road to perfect 
happiness. If man seeks happiness in any other 
direction or over any other road or along any 
other by-path he will find his footsteps leading 



352 The Beacon TAght 

him into the desert and into nakedness and woe 
and sorrow. At the shrine of true devotion hu- 
manity must kneel if men will be able to marry 
happiness and along the highway of worship 
must they walk if they would woo this sweet 
maiden of such delightful presence and attrac- 
tive personality. 

This emblem poiuts us back to the worship 
of the chosen people — Israel — at the time of 
.Moses and under the first dispensation, while 
the tabernacle dwelt among men. This taber- 
nacle marked the abode of Jehovah in the midst 
of the chosen, the ancient people of the Lord. 
The Altar of Incense was situated in the centre 
of the Holy Places — or the first apartment of the 
sacred tent and in line with the approach to the 
Holy of Holies. The Altar of the Burnt Offer- 
ing was in the outer court, but the Altar of In- 
cense was in the inner place. The Seven Golden 
Candlesticks were on one side and the Table of 
Shewbread was on the other side. Upon this al- 
tar the priests, who were officiating in the taber- 
nacle, burnt incense Avhile the morning and ev- 
ening sacrifices were being offered on the Altar 
of Burnt Offering without. While the people 
bowed before Jehovah and prayed in silence 
without in the outer court the priest prayed 
and offered thanksgiving within. What a beau- 
tiful spectacle, and when done in the true spirit 
of devotion and full reverence to Almighty God, 
how very pleasing it was to Him. 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 353 

This emblem of Avorship represents the uni- 
versality of the spiritual instinct in man and 
assists man to "seek the Lord, if haply they 
might feel after Him and find Him." In dark 
countries where He is not known as well as here 
and in the most enlightened places we see men 
worshiping and seeking Him "in whom we move 
and have our being.' 7 It also teaches us the im- 
portance of sending up to God our thanksgiving 
and gratitude in prayer and praise by word and 
deed and gift. It matters not where we worship 
God just so long as we do so. The supreme re- 
quirement is that we worship, whether on an 
altar of stone or wood or iron or clay or of the 
living, pulsing heart, it makes no difference, just 
so long as it is worship. As the smoke curling 
upward ascends from, the Altar of Incense, so 
we, having our hearts right before God, should 
cause to go up to the nostrils of God the sweetest 
incense of our lives. 

The altar — our hearts — must be properly 
prepared and the gift — our devotions — must be 
rightly placed upon it and offered in an accept- 
able manner — in deep humility and great thanks- 
giving. Then we will be pleasing in his sight. 
This rightness of things commends itself to us 
for He accepts only the sacrifices of a "broken 
spirit and a contrite heart." The smoke of such 
an incense will be a very sweet smelling savor 
unto Him to whom we make the offering. One 
has said, "the inward principle of reverence for 



354 The Beacon Light 

God, filial fear, love, faith and submission must 
be exercised." Then surely one's worship would 
be like a sweet smelling savor. 

What a curse formalism, ritualism or mere 
perfunctory adherence to practice is to true re- 
ligion. These actually rob man and God of the 
richest experiences and greatest joys which are 
obtainable in devotional religion. Thousands 
of human creatures have gone no farther than 
the letter of the law and never have felt the 
spirit thereof. They are only perfunctory wor- 
shipers and not real devotees at the shrine of the 
true God. Well paved streets are a delight to 
a city, but the feet of love delight to cut across 
lots and come in informally so as to enjoy the 
undisputed fellowship and find the least re- 
straint, yea to be at home with those dwelling 
here. Too many have been sitting at the shrine 
of public sentiment and general opinion. Too 
many now reverence custom and tradition and 
neglect the weightier matters of the spirit. But 
such outward demonstration amounts to nothing, 
or very little, in the realms of the eternal right. 
It is not hand, foot, head or pocket worship that 
brings the smile to God's face for struggling 
and yearning humanity but it is the heart wor- 
ship — a going up of the incense liberated and 
sent up by the fires kindled within through in- 
tense earnest devotion and consecration of soul 
to God that becomes the sweet smelling savor in 
the nostrils of God. Is it not high time that 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 355 

mankind awake and recognize the utter useless- 
ness of formal and perfunctory worship? 

The Altar of Incense stands for that inner, 
deeper, purer, holier, sweeter devotion and wor- 
ship of man for the Most High God than the most 
that can possibly exist in profane or less sacred 
atmosphere than the innermost being of the soul 
of mankind. All show, parade and outward 
manifestations have been shut out and are too 
profane for this inner sanctuary. The two are 
as alien as the East is from the West and utter- 
ly unable to be mixed as oil with water. This 
holy and true worship finds its highest develop- 
ment in the inner sanctuary of the heart where 
it was made possible by the Lord of Hosts. This 
inner sanctuary is man's own and God's. No 
other man enters here, for if he did he-would pro- 
fane it. It is not the privilege, right or prerog- 
ative of any man, institution, state or govern- 
ment to trespass here or interfere between the 
master of the castle and God. How majestic 
and beautiful God has designed this inner tem- 
ple, and how sacred it is in His own eye — more 
sacred than the Holy Place or the Holy of Holies. 
God would not enter it uninvited. He never is 
rude in this place. 'Tis true He does gently 
knock at the door, but the Master of the Temple 
must invite the Lord of Hosts to enter and enjoy 
this inner sanctuary. Let every man remember 
that within his own authority rests the privi- 
leges to dwell with Jehovah in this inner sane- 



856 The Beacon Light 

tuary of the soul. What an exalted and divine 
privilege God has given us ! But I charge you, 
the privilege .will amount to nothing unless ev- 
ery man for himself exercises his rights and en- 
joys this unparalleled bestowment to the limit 
of his bequeathment. 

We are here reminded of the rude worship 
of the early races, yet they thoroughly met the 
requireinnts of God in the simplicity of their de- 
votions. The omnipotent intelligence never re- 
quired of man costly oblations nor the render- 
ing of undue fruits of the body for the sins of 
the soul. A wise man A^oiced the heart of the 
Eternal when he said, "What doth the Lord re- 
quire of thee but to act justly, love mercy and 
walk humbly with thy God?" Again this em- 
blem teaches us still further that "God now re- 
quires His people to offer unto Him the incense 
of prayer and praise, of gratitude and thanks- 
giving." The altar from which this incense rises 
is constructed of a "broken spirit and a broken 
and contrite heart." The simplest forms of wor- 
ship from earnest heart and humble spirit are 
the very richest returns that can be made to God. 
Such are his desires and heart's cry. That most 
certainly will insure His countenance and sup- 
port forever, for to such His fealty is most sac- 
redly pledged. He will never turn his counte- 
nance away, but sustain. 

How very often Ave need the guidance o£ 
more than human wisdom. If we had been cast 



Lecture Addresses by Dr. B. M. Powell 357 

out upon human wisdom alone long since Ave 
would have made shipwreck of our powers and 
achievements. There is not an hour but His 
protection, care and wisdom are evidenced to us. 
We owe to the Almighty a continuous praise and 
thanksgiving for His many blessings showered 
upon us. Surely none dares deny. Only he who 
possesses a cold and. unfeeling heart, filled with 
selfishness, greed, rebellion and evil should with- 
hold his thank offering from God for His un- 
stinted, ever-abounding, widely lavished and un- 
speakable gifts upon man. I charge you, such 
base ingratitude can never abide in the heart of 
a true and ardent Patriarchal Odd Fellow. 
Therefore for Divine guidance we give our un- 
limited gratitude to Him who gave so much to 
help and bless us. 

Odd Fellowship early recognized this uni- 
versal inherent element for worship within man, 
so in this emblem most wisely sets for this sub- 
lime truth in profound teachings. Did not the 
Order then sing in heart the cry of the poet's soul 
as he said in Ids lay : — 

'0 soul of souls! Thou are the source 
Of light and love, of life and power; 
And, in thy radiant onward course 
Thou bringest nearer every hour 
The glorious day when all shall see 
Mankind redeemed and saved by thee. 
Great King of Men! At every shrine 
I worship thee, thou Christ divine." 



35S The Beacon Light 

A noted lawyer who from a material stand- 
point had made great success of life, when he 
was dying said to his friends sitting around him 
that his life had been a sad failure. When they 
protested he further said selfishness was ever 
bringing her fruit of ashes. The only way to be 
happy and successful in the true sense is to love 
something or somebody — no matter how inferior 
to you — better than you love yourself. This is 
the highway to genuine happiness. He was do- 
ing his best to find a basis for this element of 
worship in man. Odd Fellowship says the only 
true happiness is found in the inner sanctuary 
and in communion with God there. Tennyson 
spake beautifully of this truth when he sang, 

"Man am I grmon, a man's work I mast do^ 
Folloiv the deer? No. Follow the Christ, the King. 

Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the 
King, 
Else, wherefore born?" 



Odd Fellows' Homes 



Our Homes 

It is with feelings of thanksgiving that we 
meditate upon the Order's attitude toward the 
establishment "of homes for the needy Odd Fel- 
lows and their wives and their children. One of 
the fundamental principles of our beloved insti- 
tution is to care for our aged and needy ones 
and to educate the orphan left to our care. To 
see to it that those who are bound to us by bonds 
more sacred than acquaintanceship have a fair 
chance in the broad world field of after life 
action. It has not been reported that we have 
failed in our trust either toward our aged or 
toward childhood. More and more the Order is 
turning its attention toward the founding of 
homes and the maintaining of the same. One of 
the most gratifying tendencies of today is the 
disposition of the different Grand Jurisdictions 
to support one or more Odd Fellow's Homes into 
which are admitted the aged and helpless Odd 
Fellows, their wives or widows and their child- 
ren. This is a public declaration to the world of 
determination on their part to take care of those 
under their care and to carry out its teachings 
and be true to the previously enunciated declara- 
tions to every candidate as he enters the thresh- 
old of Odd FelloAvship. As long as our institu- 
tion holds her place in the world of affairs this 
must be one of her strong features. 

(361) 



362 The Beacon Light 

It is fast coming to be the ci^stallized opin- 
ion of the Order in general that every Grand 
Jurisdiction should maintain at least one Odd 
Fellows 7 Home somewhere within the boundaries 
of its own territory. Some Grand Jurisdictions 
seem to have gone into this department of Odd 
Fellowship with great enthusiasm. Many Juris- 
dictions have more than one home. Pennsyl- 
vania has seven homes, all of which are well fill- 
ed and judiciously run. It is true some Grand 
Jurisdictions have not gotten far enough along 
to enable them to purchase a home and no such 
a gift has been offered, but the tendency is 
toward such an administration. It would be 
very interesting to have a collection of the pic- 
tures of the various Odd Fellows' Homes scat- 
tered over this land of ours. The writer has 
made a little study of this subject and finds it 
most interesting. In these homes some of the 
one-time most prominent Odd Fellows in the 
state are tenderly cared for. In one home in the 
far west the first Grand Master of the state is a 
regularly established inmate in the home of the 
Jurisdiction of which he was afore-time the head 
and ruling spirit. 

The first Odd Fellows' Home is located at 
Meadyille, Pennsylvania, and the Jurisdiction 
that has the largest number of homes has the 
honor of leading in this great movement of fra- 
ternity. Its long and successful career has given 
inspiration for the furnishing of six other homes 



o 




Odd Fellows' Homes 363 

and for so bountifully caring for the large num- 
ber of inmates who are found in these homes. 
There is a peculiar honor that goes with being 
the fore-runner in any matter of importance and 
so we give this place and distinction to the Mead- 
ville Odd Fellows' Home. This home was estab- 
lished in 1872 and is located on the top of a knoll 
or hill which overlooks the beautiful city of 
Meadville and the surrounding country. Its 
buildings are in connection with eight acres 6i 
ground. This home cares for seventy-six child- 
ren and has proven a veritable benediction to Odd 
Fellowship in this district. It might be well to 
say that the Grand Jurisdiction is divided into 
"Home Districts'' and all the homes are support- 
ed by a per capita tax and by gifts. The home- 
spirit fills the entire jurisdiction and it has es- 
tablished Odd Fellowship as nothing else can. 
It is with great pleasure that we present a pic- 
ture of this home on the opposite page. 

From the hour of the instituting of the first 
Odd Fellows' Home to this the spirit of our fra- 
ternity has been crystallizing in Odd Fellows' 
Homes for aged and needy members of the Order, 
their widows and orphans. I wish it were a prac- 
tical thing to present to you the history and pic- 
ture of every home in our Order. We recognize 
the impracticability of that suggestion to be ma- 
terialized under these present conditions. There 
are a few very interesting facts clustering around 
every new enterprise and the Odd Fellows' 



364 The Beacon Light 

Homes are no exception to the rule. Their his- 
tory is entrancing to the extreme and at times 
will read like a novel. 

One of the unique features of the Home- 
spirit is materialized in the "National Odd Fel- 
lows' Sanitarium, Gainesville, Florida. For 
many years those feeble in health and of times 
very sick have sought Florida for health, to be 
sheltered from the harsh northern winters and 
the severe snow storms. Among these thousands 
were a large number of Odd Fellows. They were 
scattered about the state and deprived of the 
benefits of the lodge and their membership. To 
meet this need the National Odd Fellows' Sani- 
tarium was established. Here rest, quiet, relax- 
ation and delightful surroundings, with many 
conveniences were afforded. These give the very 
basis of complete cure for many of the ills of life. 
Here the climate is mild and equable, free from 
those sudden changes so often experienced in 
the northern States. Here the brother or sister 
of limited means, who seeks a change of climate 
for a few weeks may resort and the same privi- 
leges and benefits are secured as at some other 
more costly place, and at the same time they are 
among members of the Order. As a home it has 
the atmosphere for it is homelike. As a health 
resort it has its very high claims. As a place in 
our Order it certainly has been well established 
and will be maintained. 

Sometimes the path to the establishment of 



Odd Fellows' Homes 365 

a home is tragical. Such has been the case in 
many a Jurisdiction. After years of strange tur- 
moil and misunderstanding and heartaches, with 
the thousand little annoyances that such an en- 
terprise is heir to, the Grand Jurisdiction of 
Kansas has a beautiful Rebekah , Odd Fellows^ 
Home located at Eureka Lake. I wish it were 
possible to draw before your conception this 
beautiful home and its acres of productive soil. 
A few years ago the hearts of the Kebekahs in 
the State Assembly were turned toward this en- 
terprise, and some of the most enthusiastic 
women began a movement to take up collections 
and gifts to this end. This amount gradually 
grew, till finally in the year 1905 there were 
about ten thousand dollars in the fund, and a 
committee was raised to purchase a home. That 
amount still grew till enough was secured to buy 
the beautiful estate at Eureka Lake, the Home 
was officially dedicated on April the 26th, 1906, 
in the presence of eight thousand people. To visit 
this home and see its advantages and beautiful 
location would be sufficient to capture the heart 
of the bitterest foe. Here is a property that is 
worth at least f 50,000.00 set apart for caring 
for the poor and needy Odd Fellows, their wid- 
ows and children. There is not a feature of Odd 
Fellowship in this growing and great state that 
receives as many compliments as does our Home. 
The way has not been all roses that has led from 
the first conception of a home for cur Order to 



366 The Beacon Light 

this beautiful property, but one thing is sure, the 
unity and fellowship now manifested throughout 
the Grand Jurisdiction as to this home are be- 
yond question. Kansas Odd Fellowship is proud 
of the Home, 



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N. MANCHESTER, 
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